I wanted to make Canadian films, and I ended up making American films.

I have as much artistic freedom in my television work as I have in my films.

I have a bad reputation for being temperamental.

When you meet me, I can be charming and intelligent and reasonable.

Everything about filmmaking tries to distract you from that first fine rapturous vision you have of the film.

I'm not an easygoing guy as a director.

But when I direct I become possessed, a possession I've never quite understood.

When you're actually making the film, you're constantly battling to maintain its integrity.

My plan was to stay in Canada to make films.

I was always observing. Even while talking, living, going through every motion, I was watching myself and the situation. That's a writer. Always observing.

Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.

Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress.

The only palliative is to keep the clean sea breeze of the centuries blowing through our minds, and this can be done only by reading old books.

We have to do more than just elect a new President if we truly want to change this country.

Violence now becomes the only tool by which we can actually mediate social problems that should be dealt with in very different ways.

That's what's terrible about wars when whole societies adopt an impulse of objectification. Everything becomes black and white.

Everything is a drug. Family, art, causes, new shoes… We’re all just tweaking our chem to avoid the void.

I'm a family guy. Most important thing in my life by far is my relationship with my wife and my sons, daughters-in-law, and 18 grandchildren. And for me, this is all about them.

The tech community is a closely knit group, which is why it's so powerful. All of these companies have an affinity for each other, even if they compete with each other.