I became quite successful very young, and it was mainly because I was so enthusiastic and I just worked so hard at it.

All of a sudden, there are great Japanese films, or great Italian films, or great Australian films. It's usually because there are a number of people that cross-pollinated each other.

We were raised in an Italian-American household, although we didn't speak Italian in the house. We were very proud of being Italian, and had Italian music, ate Italian food.

Always make your work be personal. And, you never have to lie... There is something we know that's connected with beauty and truth. There is something ancient. We know that art is about beauty, and therefore it has to be about truth.

I think cinema, movies, and magic have always been closely associated. The very earliest people who made film were magicians.

I know that if a film is ready to emerge out of what I write, I'll be able to go off and make it without asking anyone's permission.

I just admire people like Woody Allen, who every year writes an original screenplay. It's astonishing. I always wished that I could do that.