My favorite novel in the world is Frankenstein. I'm going to misquote it horribly, but the monster says, "I have such love in me, more than you can imagine. But, if I cannot provoke it, I will provoke fear."

When the monster has a dimension that allows you to humanize it, that's the route I usually want to go.

For Devil's Backbone I loved it but I felt very pressured but so I was neurotic on the shoot.

The idea for me is that if the movie connects with you the way I want it to connect with you, you should be experiencing both the horror and the wonder as a child would. From a child's point of view. When we're kids, brutality registers differently than when we are adults. Because as adults, we get too used to violence.

You can only be a good father in relationship to your childhood.

It’s as hard to explain as a sexual proclivity. Some guys like high-heeled shoes. I like horror.

I think making small movies reminds you of the effort. When you make big movies, the effort is to fight for freedom. When you make small movies, the effort is making the day, making the budget, and it's great, too.