I'm not one of those famous people flying round the world emoting over every catastrophe. I'm too feeble.

Sometimes, I think I could have been a major movie star with the vast mansion and staff. I look at my Volvo and think it could be a limousine. I think of the roles I turned down. But then I wouldn't have had any children.

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

I try to make films that I find exciting. It makes me want to get out of bed at five in the morning, have my make-up done and play for the rest of the day.

I was terrible at school.

Seeing The English Patient is wonderfully draining, but imagine acting in it for six months.

The Cannes film festival is about big-budget films but also remarkable films made in different political regimes by film-makers with little resources.