I wanted to make a more Romanesque film that told a story over a long period of time - this one spans 45 years. I had a great desire to make another musical, but this time I wanted to be more ambitious.

I wanted to show how lightness was possible in the 1960s, but how life is more difficult in the 2000s.

I'm someone who is pretty modest and doesn't like to talk about my love stories. Songs bring a lyrical quality to it, simply. It allows the audience to perceive the characters' love life in a way that is much more obvious than it might have been.

Even if I sometimes have some somewhat negative thoughts, for instance, if I see them in somebody else's movie, I feel jealous and possessive.

I wanted to make a more Romanesque film that told a story over a long period of time - this one spans 45 years. I had a great desire to make another musical, but this time I wanted to be more ambitious.

The actors have confidence in me to let me lead them to unexpected things.