I want to question what the outside is and who defines it. I often find those that are considered to be on the outside extremely inspiring.

Never take no for answer, and try to make films that turn you on.

I look for the humanity in people, however big the politics or oppressive the situation may be, whether it's subsumed within a human being or between two human beings. I want to help us hold a mirror to ourselves.

Creative freedom is an imperative for me, but it doesn't really exist in a Hollywood game.

We have three generations at home, including my father-in-law. I keep a very low profile, and a lot of things I do are very much with the family in mind. I have actually made films with the family around me.

Americans are not used to being bombed in their beds, but if you come from anywhere outside America, it's not highly unusual.

It gave me a lot of pleasure and pride that 90 percent of the crew for 'Monsoon Wedding,' and most of my film, are women. We get the work done, you know, much lesser play of ego... And I really believe in harmony, I believe in working in a spirit of egolessness and that the film is bigger than all of us.