Everything I make starts very personally.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.

In terms of the mechanics of story, myth is an intriguing one because we didn't make myth up; myth is an imprinture of the human condition.

In 1977, hip-hop literally wasn't outside the boroughs. But I was profoundly aware of the city through films like Saturday Night Fever, The French Connection, and Network. I had a friend who visited New York, and I asked him what it was like. He said, "Oh, it's great. Just wear a coat and don't look anyone in the eye."

One of the great things about Sydney is that it has a great acceptance of everyone and everything. It's an incredibly tolerant city, a city with a huge multicultural basis.

I mean, '8 ½' to me is such a great dissertation on the whole, you know, act of filmmaking and creativity.

I never see things I make in the same way that the audience does. You can never do that.