We have to not just open our eyes to what's going on in other places; we need to open our eyes to what's going on right in front of us.

I certainly don' think I could've played the character [Idi Amin] the same way without being in Uganda. I loved working in Uganda.

There's a thing you confront when you're going into something new and you come to this sort of abyss, and then you push yourself. It makes you try different things.

I think the place fed me completely. Not only was I in Uganda, but I was around many people who had a personal relationship with Idi Amin. I was eating the food constantly. I was culturally hanging out with the people. You can't help but absorb the energy, and try to get inside the culture.

I could never have gone to Africa another way and had the same experience. It was my job and my joy at the same time.

I stay true, because whatever the project is, I'm still looking for inside of that character.

In my career, I've had people talking about different things many times, but then not get nominated.