I never retreat from films, as it were, I simply indulge in other interests, that's all.

I'm not keen on history being tampered with... to any extent.

My life is devoted to self-delusion - and I have a great capacity for that - but it's the thing that gives me the most pleasure, so I can't complain about it.

I avoid talking about the way I work. But in avoiding it I seem only to have encouraged people to focus their fantasies about me in an ever more fantastical way on the details that are not at all at the centre of the work.

When it comes to parenthood everyone thinks they will be terrible at it. We don't think we have it in us. Then you find out that you do, which truly is a miracle in life.

You can never fully put your finger on the reason why you're suddenly, inexplicably compelled to explore one life as opposed to another.

If you remain unsettled by a piece of writing, it means you are not watching the story from the outside; you've already taken a step toward it.