I was lucky with my first film because it had Warhol in it. That was the selling point.

It's interesting that gay men and young women have been the twin engines of the Bettie [Page] cult.

There was a lot of anger among critics that I had not made a sexy movie.

I make unpopular versions of popular things. I make a horror film and it's not a horror film. None of my genre movies function as genre movies.

Americans always think they have to lead. I'm interested in ambiguity.

Bettie Page was the first person to do bondage as fashion, because for her it really was all about dressing up.

If you have had some taste of success, it's extremely addicting. I think the withdrawal from that is what's most devastating. I don't think it's the success that kills people, it's the withdrawal.