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

In this country, particularly, actually in times that are difficult, or from corners of America where you least expect it, unbelievable pure creativity has welled up. Generally because of the cross-fertilization... a Scott Joplin tune becomes jazz, becomes blues, and becomes rock 'n' roll.

One of my great all-time loves in cinema, and I've seen it three times, is Bondarchuk's 'War and Peace.' Not a lot of people may have seen that film. It was made during the Soviet era.

My father made sure that I had lots of levels of education – from ballroom-dancing to painting, commando training, theatre and magic.

Opera was the cinema of its time, so to bring back that popular appeal, you just need to unleash its visceral immediacy and excitement. Most productions don't manage that - but when an opera does do it, you never forget it.

Some of the greatest relationship films of all time, the two stars have hated each other, but mostly you see that chemistry.

When you're in theater or the circus or film - to me it's all one - affairs happen. People fall in love.