I think violence in a cinematic context can be, if handled in a certain way, very seductive.

When I made my first film, I didn't think of it as directing, so it wasn't like I set out to become a director.

For some individuals - some soldiers, some contractors - combat provides a kind of purpose and meaning beyond which all else potentially pales in comparison.

I thrive on production. It feels very much like a natural environment for me.

One of the elements in the film that really fascinated me was not to look at the world in bi-polar terms of us vs them or east vs west, which was a by-product of the Cold War.

I don't want to be made pacified or made comfortable. I like stuff that gets your adrenaline going.

There's really no difference between what I do and what a male filmmaker might do. I mean we all try to make our days, we all try to give the best performances we can, we try to make our budget, we try to make the best movie we possibly can.