I am always more interested in performance and character depiction, and my direction says as much.

I think I avoid stepping into sentimentality by trying to be as truthful as possible with performances.

I love mixing amateurs and professionals.

Kevin, as the whole cast is, just wonderful people and great people, and people who are attracted to this kind of material and accepting the idea of going to Newfoundland and knowing the kind of lack of amenities.

I got to work with my wife, Lena Olin, for the first time, which was great. I thought it might be difficult in some way to talk to one's wife in a different way but it was so not forced.

I love involving actors at all levels - and they have to know that I want to hear their contributions, with dialogue, with story suggestions, with script changes, whatever.

But I notice that there is a lack of darkness in my movies and I don't know where that comes from.