I often begin movies with music in my head; it's a very important dimension to me. Not just the music itself, but how to use music in film: when and how and subtlety. I don't like to be too sweet in my stories, and I like the abrasive clang, the contrasting of sounds and cultures.

I've never sought to be on an A-list. I've done my own thing and my own thing has thankfully now brought me an audience.

I always like to reveal the fact that the emperor has no clothes. And children are best at that. They teach us how to see the world in that sense. They are without artifice; they see it for what it is. I am drawn to that ruthless honesty.

I am still attracted to stories about people who are considered to be on the outside of society. I still seek inspiration from those stories.

In our house we say 'adolescence' is a western word. We don't believe in it.

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.