I tend to do things that I'm very frightened of. That's what I do.

I'd love to do some comedy. Particularly French comedy, which I know sounds like a contradiction in terms.

People will now go to films with subtitles, you know. They're not afraid of them. It's one of the upsides of text-messaging and e-mail. Maybe the only good thing to come of it.

'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 not want to pour out my heart to the world. I am cautious of what I say and to whom.

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

I am so bored with seeing stories about a mature man of 65 falling in love with a beautiful girl of 32.