When I came for the first time to the United States, visiting, I was absolutely fascinated by New York.

First of all, to defend my work, I had to believe that I am doing a totally silly, stupid, innocent comedy.

You really see life around the principals to be as important as the main, principal actors. That's what cinéma vérité taught me - that it's not a question of having a main character, a great actor, and the rest is unimportant. Every detail, every face in the crowd is important.

For me, speaking is work. It's not like when you breathe.

Well, listen, you know, the Czech saying is, you know, when you are drowning you are grabbing even a little twig. That's what all Czechs were doing, grabbing for... with the hope for this little twig.

Usually you don't think about re-releasing an old movie.

I tell you, in my opinion, the cornerstone of democracy is free press - that's the cornerstone.