Everyone knows the phenomenon of trying to hold your breath underwater - how at first it's alright and you can handle it, and then as it gets closer and closer to the time when you must breathe, how urgent the need becomes, the lust and the hunger to breathe. And then the panic sets in when you begin to think that you won't be able to breathe - and finally, when you take in air and the anxiety subsides...that's what it's like to be a vampire and need blood.

It is a little disappointing to see that your legs are not as strong. But I like the idea of growing old, and the thought of approaching death is not particularly daunting to me.

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. But you look at the project and think, 'Gee, there are a lot of good directors who could do that.' I'd like to do something only I can do.

You don't have to specialize - do everything that you love and then, at some time, the future will come together for you in some form.

Some critics are stimulating in that they make you realise how you could do better, and those are valued.

As long as I can make lots of money in other businesses, I'll continue to subsidize my own work.

Most directors have one masterpiece by which they are known. Kurosawa has at least eight or nine.