For me, trying to expand the energy to make one movie in Hollywood would be the equivalent in terms of energy to making 10 movies in Japan.

When you are completely satisfied with what you have made, you're pretty much done as a director. So when that happens, that'll sort of be the end.

Filmmaking is not a balancing act, although some directors think it is. I don't believe in it. I like ups and downs. They're the best way to translate my feelings to the screen.

You can't really make something or make a movie and feel all through the process that it's a painful thing. It's not possible to do that.

I can't single out one thing that influenced me. My generation was influenced greatly by the manga that came out during our childhood.

I believe that every director's films reflect their lifestyle.

I don't know if I would call it therapy, but filmmaking is really the only thing I know how to do. For me, making movies is a way to bring on change for myself, and I really enjoy that part.

I go to the dentist, not a shrink.

As a filmmaker, you've got to have a nose for what's going on culturally. You have to feel it. It doesn't have to be manga or music, but you need some kind of antenna. That's very important.

And if I'm running away from something, I try to make myself face it and overcome that initial fear. As a director, I don't think it's possible to make a movie that you really don't want to make.

If you're trying to be realistic and bring real life to the screen, you are going to have different elements. That's what I'm trying to do. As I make the movie, different elements come in naturally.

Don't get mad about the infestation of fleas if you keep shopping at the dog pound.

Nothing about these times makes any sense. Nothing. Putting it to words only makes it sound too simple.

I want them to see the magic of how everything is related: To walk out into the night and see the Green Corn Moon levitate across the sky.

We cannot get what we've never had, unless we're willing to do what we've never done.

You won't catch me giving clear lectures.

It's not my fault all women like motorcycles, Murph. They're basically huge vibrators. With wheels.

It's all about a balancing act between time, temperature and ingredients: That's the art of baking.

Women's words are as light as the doomed leaves whirling in autumn, Easily swept by the wind, easily drowned by the wave.

Writing is finally a series of permissions you give yourself to be expressive in certain ways. To leap. To fly. To fail.

I was looking for a father, he was gone. I hung around with the thugs, and even though they sold drugs, they showed a young brother love.