All of my films are based on personal experiences and beliefs. Many of my heroes are my spokespeople - and some are not!

I do my films the best as I can, period. I always hope that, gradually, my honest work will reach Americans.

I like to make people happy, and with fairy tales, I can say anything I want to, but in an agreeable way.

Fairy tales are my natural language. I feel at ease telling fairy tales like a fish feels in water. I am totally free.

I lost so much energy in taxis, planes, hotels, phone calls and interpreters. Now, with the help from my little successes, I do everything in the same place with everyone around me. That's how a good job gets done.

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 won't tell you how many hours a day I work because you wouldn't believe it. But don't worry; I am in bed at 11 p.m., sleep well and get up early, without an alarm clock.