When it comes time to make the scenes concrete and shoot them, I want the freedom for it to exist which means adding, subtracting or modifying.

I have many projects in various states of development. Some are on paper and some are in my head. But as I go on, I feel the need to be guided in my choices.

What really enthralls me is working with the actor and seeing where you can go with that. It's in that exchange and that relationship.

The importance is getting to something truthful and in that moment can only be in that moment. I don't like to use the word "improvise," but it's a continual writing of the film.

To use an image, making a film is like climbing a mountain or crossing an ocean. Every day has its challenges.

I didn't really think in terms of clichés or non-clichés.

I grew up in and identify with and that she works and exists in.

The writing of the script is a continual process. There's the first draft and then many, many re-writes here and there.

My film (Black Venus) had been very emotionally draining and difficult because I had identified so much with the lead character, Saartjie Baartman.

A deal's a deal. Nothing is for nothing. Everything has its price.

We are really so prejudiced by our educations, that, as the ancients deified their heroes, we deify their madmen.

She hath no loyal knight and true, The Lady of Shalott.

I'm not really keen on comebacks. Eurythmics was an incredible thing. When I look back on that work, I feel very satisfied with it.

I didn't have to audition. That's common, but it had never happened to me before. Normally, I hate auditioning. I need to stew and think... let the character develop and grow inside me.

From Satan or from God, what matter? Angel or Siren, What matter, if you make - fairy with velvet eyes, Rhythm, perfume, light, o my only queen - The universe less hideous, each moment less strained?

They always want to sell me as a hard bopper.

It is in vain to hope to please all alike. Let a man stand with his face in what direction he will, he must necessarily turn his back on one half of the world.

My soul is of more value than ten thousand worlds.

You give up a lot to be in politics. And if you're not there to change the world I don't know what you're there for. I mean, it doesn't make any sense to me.