I don't know what the character is going to be. We sit down and we create a character, and all of the characters in all of my films are made like that.

When it comes to thinking about how a character talks, there are literary and language considerations. For actors to be able to differentiate between themselves and the characters they are playing while at the same time remain in character and spontaneous requires a sophisticated combination of skills and spirit.

In the first place, I'm pretty thorough about whom I choose. I instinctively look for the kind of actor who is going to be trusting. There are all kinds of insecure people out there called actors.

I think it’s important that nobody forgets that although Hollywood commercially dominates the world cinema, in fact what comes out of the filmmaking here is only a tiny slice out of the massive amount of operation that goes on around the world.

My work is about life as you and I experience it. You're either lucky or you're not lucky; either your relationship works or it doesn't.

The reason my films work is because every actor on set is very secure. They're able to fly.

I am very happy to be part of European and world cinema as a British filmmaker.