I made this film 'The Beach,' which didn't take place in a city, and it didn't really suit me.

Although I behave in a quite reserved way in my personal life, give me a stage and I'll be as flamboyant as I can.

The sun is the most important thing in everybody's life, whether you're a plant, an animal or a fish, and we take it for granted.

To be a film-maker, you have to lead. You have to be psychotic in your desire to do something. People always like the easy route. You have to push very hard to get something unusual, something different.

Directing is a mixture of compromise and perfectionism. When you lose the judgment of which is more important at any particular moment, you're time is over. They find you out and send you packing.

I say to first time filmmakers that when they're asked, they should go to America as you're far more likely to get a chance.

It just seduces you when you read a story and your brain relates to it. You recognize or connect with it. You identify with it; you're bound to.