My film is not a movie; it's not about Vietnam. It is Vietnam.

When I was sixteen or seventeen, I wanted to be a writer. I wanted to be a playwright. But everything I wrote, I thought, was weak. And I can remember falling asleep in tears because I had no talent the way I wanted to have.

I've been offered lots of movies. There's always some actor who's doing a project and would like to have me do it.

To make great movies, there is an element of risk. You have to say, 'Well, I am going to make this film, and it is not really a sure thing.'

My family were symphonic musicians and in the opera. Also, it was my era, the love of radio. We used to listen to the radio at night, close our eyes and see movies far more beautiful than you can photograph.

Listen, if there's one sure-fire rule that I have learned in this business, it's that I don't know anything about human nature.

The essence of cinema is editing.