A lot of new American directors have had mentors who have given them advice. And some of them have had the way paved for them by huge Hollywood directors who saw a younger version of themselves.

I'm quite neurotic, usually. But when it comes to work, I become extremely focused.

It's a typical story: you think of something, it stays in the back of your head for a while, and then you finally do it.

I've had this opportunity to get some of my financing out of Europe, which has helped tremendously, so I'm not completely dependent on the studio system or on U.S. financing.

I've proven that I'm not a complete failure. Every film has done well. It's like, "So, okay, when do I get my deal at Warner Bros?

I make these little films. I'm just a working person. I just study people a little bit more. It's more sociological, and it's funny anyway - not that serious. It's not like false humility. I just take it for what it is.

Whether it's friendship or love. The essence of is two people trying to share something. When I think of how I met my best friends, it was always like love at first sight.