I am a person who is trained to look other people in the eye. But I can't look into the eyes of everyone who wants to look into mine; I can't emotionally cope with that kind of volume. Sunglasses are part of my armor.

I can't hit on women in public any more. I didn't decide this; it just doesn't feel right at my age.

There was a period when I just wanted to make what I wanted to make and I didn't care what lie I had to tell.

Believe it or not, I supported Richard Nixon on the issue of presidential privilege. How could anyone conceive of being the president of the United States and think that every single thing that you say or do can become a part of the public record? It just seems so stupid to me.

Charlize Theron and Cate Blanchett are very good actresses.

When I was in high school, I earned the pimple award and every other gross-out award.

I don't want to direct a movie as good as Antonioni, or Kubrick, or Polanski, or whoever. I want it to be my own. I think I've got the seed of it and, what's more, that I can make movies that are different and informed by my taste.