Every year or so, I try to do something; it keeps me refreshed as to what's going on in front of the lens, and I understand what the actor is going through.

Always get to the set or the location early, so that you can be all alone and draw your inspiration for the blocking and the setups in private and quiet.

Because of the movies I make, people get nervous. They think of me as difficult and angry. I am difficult and angry, but they don't expect a sense of humor. And the only thing that gets me through is a sense of humor.

Eradicating a religion of kindness is, I think, a terrible thing for the Chinese to attempt.

There's no such thing as simple. Simple is hard.

The storyboard for me is the way to visualise the entire movie in advance.

Young film makers should learn how to deal with the money and learn how to deal with the power structure. Because it is like a battle.