I've always been completely autocratic. I've never learned to be diplomatic or democratic.

Rain is also very difficult to film, particularly in Ireland because it's quite fine, so fine that the Irish don't even acknowledge that it exists.

I always argued against the auteur theory; films are a collaborative art form. I've had some fantastically good people help me make the movies.

A Great Movie Evolves when Everybody Has the Same Vision in Their Heads.

Personally I am very much against the death penalty for several reasons.

Period recreation is very difficult unless you make a black and white movie.

Have a go. Anybody can do it.

Well, if you ask any filmmaker how they got into it, everyone came a different route. Ive never actually watched another director work.

Most directors have little lists in their heads of people they really want to work with.

Film-making is a physically hard job.

I turn on the TV sometimes, start watching something and think: 'This seems quite good, a bit familiar.' Then I realise … It's one of my movies. It's a pretty odd feeling.

A holy fast is the food of faith.

Few living do.""Then, have I...I mean, am I-""Oh, no, child! You are still very much alive! Though I may say, not as Alive as you might be if you had died.

Focus on one thing and do not scatter your attention

Sometimes, you have to get angry to get things done.

No matter what we predict for our futures, we're always wrong anyway. The only sensible thing to do is to live this life as it is right now. Leave what happens after you die till after you die.

If you can't stop the bad thoughts from coming to visit, at least you can make fun of them while they're hanging around.

Self-hatred and self-love are equally self-centered.

And, uh, I did that, and there was nothing more ridiculous to me than finding the weight of the earth because I didn't care how much the earth weighed.

Depressions aren't good but the depression mentality is good.

In the theatre the audience want to be surprised - but by things that they expect.