I think being a foreigner and talking about Hollywood allowed me to use some cliches and some references that an American would maybe not use.

I'm very happy in France making movies.

French cinema audiences usually don't express anything. Certainly not satisfaction.

I am unusual for a Frenchman - I have absolutely nothing against the United States.

There's always been a struggle with filmmakers between art and industry, and you have to find a balance

People inside the theaters usually, not 100 percent but most of them, enjoy the movie. Usually they come with a small negative view. In a way, they're prepared to get bored because it's silent and because it's black and white. So they are much more pleased to be entertained in a way. They're very happy when they go out. This was my job. For the other ones, I can do nothing except screen the movie and hope that they will say to their friends that it's not so [bad].

If you try to make a silent movie with a normal script and you just pull out the dialogue, you will have big problems with the actors because you will ask them to tell a story that you don't know.