We know what hair smells like when a hot comb hits it. That's a cultural thing. We know what that smells like on Sunday mornings, usually church-related or something. In my house, it was getting ready for church and your sister was getting her hair fried.

When we shot "Cry Freedom," I wasn't even allowed in South Africa. They told me I could come but I wasn't going to leave. I had heavy death threats at that time. So we shot in Zimbabwe. In 1995, I had the privilege and the honor to meet Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela the same day: I had breakfast with Desmond Tutu and lunch with Nelson Mandela. Then I had the good fortune to have Mr. Mandela actually come to my house in California. There's been a tremendous amount of change.

I've always seen it to be a privilege to make movies. It's a really expensive, creative medium.

The lessons I learned in Sunday School have kept me on track

You can’t break me because you didn’t make me.

My mother never gave up one me. I messed up in school so much they were sending me home, but my mother sent me right back.

I'm from around Tennessee. I ran away when I was 12 years old and I ain't never looked back.