'The English Patient' was a huge turning point in my career and my life; it became this huge thing. But the whole Oscar build-up got completely out of control; I spent more time talking about that film than I spent making it!

I do consider myself as being French, I suppose.

French culture takes ageing very seriously. There's much less ageism than in Anglo-Saxon countries.

I really like acting in French. It's actually quite different for me, from acting in English. It's fun acting in a foreign language. You're liberated or freed from preconceptions.

I just don't see very many films. Because I make them.

I was happy, I wasnt beaten, and I lacked nothing. But it wasnt what people expect - it was very much sort of pinching and scraping. I dont know how my mother did it.

I like the idea that I'm making things that people might think and argue about.