The quality and success of Disney was actually bad for us animators because everyone on the planet thought that animation was only for kids and only in a certain domain. The big film festivals never thought much about animated films.

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.

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.

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.

Fairy tales have a hidden power, and their appeal never ends. They're the best way to get messages across.

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

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.