Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself

You really think that on my films people tell me what to do? I don't think so. On my films I decide.

The cold-audition process is not a science, so I ignore that.

The ugly duckling is a misunderstood universal myth. It's not about turning into a blonde Barbie doll or becoming what you dream of being; it's about self-revelation, becoming who you are.

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

Accept certain inalienable truths.

Having grown up far, far away in a small country town in Australia, I was only slightly aware of hip-hop.