My career in the movie business began in Hong Kong, my heart has always been tied to Asia, and it is immensely gratifying to see international recognition for Asian cinema as a whole.

The most important thing is that you have really good friends and family, and when you go back to them, it's like 'what?'. You carry on as who you are.

I have been presented with roles with demand not just a physical ability but mental disciplines as well. 'Memoirs of a Geisha' was not so much about physical exertion...it was much more graceful and contained than that.

I believe we are all born equal. You know, we are, whether you're a boy or a girl, you should have the same equal rights.

I don't like Kublai Khan, let's just kill him off!

Your story may not have such a happy beginning, but that doesn't make you who you are. It is the rest of your story, who you choose to be.

That's the magic of filmmaking, to draw the audience into an exotic world and keep them there and keep the suspense.