Before my commercial success, I had difficulty doing what I wanted, but my sincere short films always won prizes in festivals. So I was ready for larger successes.

One gets used to success very quickly. The surprise was how deep and enduringly I was touching people, in such different places and throughout generations.

I've never made films for children. That's why children like my films. Nobody wants to be treated as a baby.

My inspiration is my life, what I see happening around me. It can be history and, quite often, plain traditional fairy tales. But I never adapt; I nourish myself with old stories, and then create my own tales.

I'm at peace with myself. My film just may please audiences. At any rate, it's already a great prize to be part of just 16 films among all of the world cinema out there. I'm tranquil and satisfied.

I'd never make a film that I am not passionate about. My whole life, I've only made the films I wanted to make, even when I had limited means.

The film industry needs to find a way to bring audiences to movie theaters. It's more of a technical trick than a revolution.