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

When I was growing up, I don't remember being told that America was created so that everyone could get rich. I remember being told it was about opportunity and the pursuit of happiness. Not happiness itself, but the pursuit.

My films really have to be a part of a whole body of work that says something to me.

I always tell the younger filmmakers and students: Do it like the painters used to...Study they old masters. Enrich your palette. Expand the canvas. There's always so much more to learn.

I was born in 1942, so I was mainly aware of Howard Hughes' name on RKO Radio Pictures.

Food tells you everything about the way people live and who they are.

It did remind me of something out of Greek mythology - the richest king who gets everything he wants, but ultimately his family has a curse on it from the Gods.