Americans are attracted to the dark side. But which movies should be allowed to be violent and show that dark side, and which should not? I don't believe in censorship, but I do think there are horrible movies that are bad for you.

I use cinematic things in a theatrical way on stage, and in film I use theatrical techniques in a cinematic way.

I call myself a playmaker sometimes - but that's just a word. I don't feel like I have to have a title or a job description.

I really do believe that if you don't challenge yourself and risk failing, that it's not interesting.

My mother was okay with me not playing it safe. She made an agreement with my father that I was going to be raised differently than my brother and sister were. My parents went through the whole sixties rebellion with my brother and sister. But I didn't feel like I had to rebel because I didn't have anyone telling me I couldn't do something. I never went into that parents-as-enemies stage.

The idea that all violence in movies is okay simply because it happens is bull. Directors and writers have a responsibility.

I received from my experience in Japan an incredible sense of respect for the art of creating, not just the creative product. We're all about the product. To me, the process was also an incredibly important aspect of the total form.