I think art education, especially in this country, which government pretty much ignores, is so important for young people.

I go a lot to see young people downtown in little theaters. It's great. If you start somebody's career, it's so exciting.

Divinity of art, it's such a mystery. How to convince people that no matter how much money you can spend on education and art education especially, that it implants, it directs a young person for the rest of their lives, and always in the most humane and positive and dignified manner.

The Russian people get so insanely close to each other as friends. Their lives are interrelated so much on an everyday basis.

Acting is not my language at all.

In '74 it was really a very gloomy atmosphere, I would say, to put it mildly.

I really reject that kind of comparison that says, Oh, he is the best. This is the second best. There is no such thing.