When people are feeling insecure about their jobs and there are cuts to be made, it's hard to put up an argument that the film industry needs funding.

I think Americans are wonderful film actors - the best in the world - but they are a very contemporary race and they look forward all the time.

If we don't respect the past, we'll find it harder to build a future.

In my defence I can only say that her past, too, like mine, like everyone's in fact, was a locked box. Occasionally we allow people a peep, but generally only at the top level. The darker streams of our memories we negotiate alone.

No, while most people have been at their unhappiest when in love, it is nevertheless the state the human being yearns for above all.

Harsh reality is always better than false hope.

What is a week-end? Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey.