I think that in life, being is nothing but an illusion. If we acknowledge that and accept the fact that we are in between states, that we are moving, and this movement is the nature of our lives, and we stop having aspirations for being in a definite state, we know life better and are able to enjoy it better.

In order to be able to cooperate with a child, you have to come down to below their level in order to communicate with them. Actors are also like children.

This [the earthquake] was a very big influence on me, and the issue of life and death from then on does recur in my films.

I never really learned photography.

I don't like reverse-angle shots - I find them very fake and very untruthful to the viewer.

I don't have very complete scripts for my films. I have a general outline and a character in my mind, and I make no notes until I find the character who's in my mind in reality.

We don't look at each other [in the car], but instead do so only when we want to. We're allowed to look around without appearing rude. We have a big screen in front of us and side views. Silence doesn't seem heavy or difficult.