I don't like to be feared, and I can't work in conflict, I'm very bad with conflict. I try to avoid it, it paralyzes me.

I was watching TV and saw people with masks, weapons, and grenades. I thought, Is that really possible? Could we be here yet again? And go into civil war one more time?

A small film from a small country, in Arabic with nonprofessionals: It was practically impossible. Just to make it was like a dream to me.

I want to keep talking about my people and my country in my own language.

I'm just someone who observes a lot.

There are a lot of female directors in Lebanon but we can't really talk about a true film industry, it's still very small. But we do have a few female directors.

I like to have the impression that whatever is happening is true.

When people say to me, 'You make us proud,' it's heartwarming to hear that.

Beirut turned into a war zone in a matter of hours. We were stuck at home, the roads were blocked.

We know very little, and yet it is astonishing that we know so much, and still more astonishing that so little knowledge can give us so much power.

The telling of a good story, especially one that is real and true, is always exciting.

Nothing is easier than spending public money. It does not appear to belong to anybody. The temptation is overwhelming to bestow it on somebody.

I meditate whenever I can. I can be in the back seat of a car or in between appointments.

You can never give up or get down on yourself. A true champion keeps his or her chin up and always takes life one race at a time.

I was completely unprepared for the public spectacle my private life became, and didn't like it a bit.

I would say being deeply involved in the art world would help keep a young artist on track. Doing what you love, so that your focus is your artistry.

We're finally learning that it is not an either-or situation ... Feelings and learning and emotion are all very integral to each other.

NO is always a YES to something else.

Until higher institutions have been evolved, any attempt to break the old ones will be disastrous.