I'm really, really blessed. Not only am I blessed to have found that I love making films, but I'm also insanely blessed to be able to do it. I have to remind myself that when I'm complaining.

I think in some ways you learn more from the things you don't like than the things you do.

Acting is really scary, but it's also challenging, fun, hard work. There's always an element of improvisation with every actor, even when something is really scripted.

It sounds cliche, but success is your friends, your family, what you do, and if you're happy when you wake up.

When actors give their input, it can be very ego-driven, and directors are scared of that.

I think Van Sant is the most important American director we have. He takes the most risks. He's just pure to me.

I'm not really equipped to do anything else but making movies. In every other aspect of my life I'm a total failure.

I feel that film, as opposed to theatre, is about capturing that one, real moment.

I saw the main character played by Mads Mikkelsen, and he's amazing. Hannibal had that going for it.

I have fun making films. I love making films. It's the only thing I know how to do. And I do it well.

Right now is a very interesting time because of the digital cameras, and the fact that you can edit anywhere. It's a great time to be a filmmaker, is a great time to be starting off.

It is almost impossible to live a life of failure if one learns to have faith in God and in oneself.

Parsifal is on his way to the temple of the Grail Knights and says: “I hardly move, yet far I seem to have come”, and the all-knowing Gurnemanz replies: “You see, my son, time turns here into space

Trouble is, we call politics a game, but it isn't one. There is no referee, and the teams make up the rules as they go along. You can't cry foul or offside in politics. Almost anything goes.

The more in harmony you are with the flow of your own existence, the more magical life becomes.

I think it must be hard being David [Tennant]. I get a certain level of attention but - I've seen it in action - he can't move for attention.

For us women, to be German meant, and still means, always to be strong.

But before we die, how shall we live? I say with hope and dignity; and if premature death is the result, that death has a meaning reactionary suicide can never have. It is the price of self-respect.

Can you call a farm with a dozen geese a farm? Still, it was a little better for the Jews in Czechoslovakia. There were only two pogroms there. What's two pogroms?

I just think that the qualities of leadership are unknown even to the leader until he's tested and given a challenge.

The only guide to a man's conscience, the only shield to his memory is the rectitude and sincerity of his actions.