Everything I do in my life is very instinctual and in the moment. If I'm attracted to something, that's it. If I have reservations, those don't change till they're resolved. My first impression is how I go.

If you have the right actors and you can give them the freedom to explore, you've done a lot of your work as a director.

If you want to experiment, do something temporary.

Martell Cognac approached me to make a film for them that represented the spirit of John Martell and what he stood for as a person and as a visionary - the qualities that they felt were linked to the brand because of John Martell himself. The creation of the cognac had an impact on the world. That's what Martell Cognac would like to promote: people that can inspire other kids and generations. They have a saying: "It's not what you achieve, it's how you achieve it."

The executions, persecution and imprisonment of political dissidents and the LGBT community, denial of free press, elections and religious freedoms, continue to be Fidel Castro's legacy.

The size of budgets does not alter my decision if I should do it. If there's a movie with a budget of only $1 million that I find interesting, then I'll sign up, but it has to be in the hands of a director who can do something with it. Ultimately, it's a director's medium.

My first interest was always music, and somehow that channelled itself into films and acting. I don't know what the natural transition of it was. I mean I acted a little bit when I was young and like any kid would in a community theatre.