The common misconception is that we create films for ourselves. And I really don't do it for myself. I get stopped in the street by people saying, "Do you mind if I say this about your work?" Do I mind? I'm delighted. I do it for you. It's not for me. It's my living, yes, sure.

The big problem with literature is people tend to take the dialogue from the book, forgetting that everything that surrounds it is literate, therefore not knowing quite how to put that on screen.

It's quite a dangerous career move to go wilfully on making films that may not find a distributor.

I do what interests me when I'm invited and do it as well as I know how and try to get better. That's all.

I mark a script like an exam, and I try not to do anything under 50 per cent. Similarly with the part. And also film is a peculiar thing, parts don't necessarily read in script form anything like as well as they can do when it comes to materialising.

The clergy is in the same business as actors, just a different department.

If you listen, you learn; if you talk, you don't.