I'm interested in characters that are complex people.

When I hear the words 'activist filmmaking,' I think of somebody who's an activist, who wants to prove a particular point.

I have actually been very fortunate to be able to make films on my own credit card without having huge funders behind me dictating how the story should be told.

It's important in any project to remain focused.

Look at the Civil Rights Movement. Look at any kind of fight for change. People had to keep fighting and taking their rights. Rights are never given to you. They have to be fought for and they have to be taken.

You know, Arabs are critical of United States foreign policy, but they also associate the U.S. with democratic principles and opportunity.

Traveling around the world during the World Cup in 2006, I was thinking, 'Wow, this is such an incredible and global event.'