Masculinity is, nowadays and generationally, confusing. What is honor, what is protection, what is being a man? It's evolving. But I believe having an open heart - and a strong mind to protect that - is the idea.

I have a profound respect for cinematographers. That is my secret sauce. Like they are everything to me.

A Separation is another film that I think is extraordinary, and one of those things that feels like it's from another planet, much like Terrence Malick's movies did: at a certain point, you feel like he's an alien from another planet telling us and looking at us and showing us how we are. I also really, really love Jerry McGuire.

Theater has given me a different perspective on the way I approach films.

I think, in the initial process of discovering a character and the analytical process - and this is what I did take from Buddhism - initially I think there has to be an analytical, intellectual approach. And that has to be abandoned by the time you're playing the game.

Sometimes what I actually love to do is go to a farm and get fresh milk or watch a pig get slaughtered.

The truth is most of the films that make a lot of money no one remembers, and I'm not interested in making films that no one remembers.