Certainly as actors, and maybe as directors, you've got to hang on to something childlike. You've got to know what play is. I haven't worked with Mike Leigh, but I know him very well and there's something open in his eyes about what's in front of him. And the same is true of Alfonso in a Mexican, mad way. There's an enthusiastic response to something. Neil Jordan, the same, when he gets excited . You just want to know there's a human being in there.

You try to find things that are challenging and interesting and hopefully it will be the same to the audience.

On film you put all your energies into a single glance.

Originally, theater was my life. It was what I assumed I'd spend my working life doing - if I was lucky. Then along came movies.

If only life could be a little more tender and art a little more robust.

I think there's some connection between absolute discipline and absolute freedom.

One longs for a director with a sense of imagination.