Successful films are very dangerous things.

'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 a film because I like the story and I want to give life to a character - I don't necessarily have to agree with the director.

If anyone says 'Let's have a girls' night out', I will run in the opposite direction.

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

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