There is something universal in the theme of a man trying to save his family in the midst of the most terrible circumstances. It is not limited to Sierra Leone. This story could apply to any number of places where ordinary people have been caught up in political events beyond their control.

There is a segment of the American population that has been excluded from the national myth, and that should be redressed.

It seems that almost every time a valuable natural resource is discovered in the world-whether it be diamonds, rubber, gold, oil, whatever-often what results is a tragedy for the country in which they are found. Making matters worse, the resulting riches from these resources rarely benefit the people of the country from which they come.

I am a fan of movies and there is something about watching film that is burned into celluloid for all time that is now a piece of history. You go watch, being a fan of classic films and my children and their children are going to be watching these movies.

You do these movies, you give it out to the world and you really have no idea how people are going to react to you.

It's always great to do a movie that you find is entertaining, but also can give some sort of political or social message.

I think one of the privileges of being a filmmaker is the opportunity to remain a kind of perpetual student.