Coming from the '50s, things were very violent. We were still being lynched. If I drove down through the South with my mother, I might not make it through one state without being bullied or harassed. I feel like unless you've been black for a week, you don't know.

There are just certain realities about our world and I just happen to be creative within it.

I grew up in a family where we weren't allowed to talk about beauty or to put any emphasis on physical appearance.

I'm still trying to do films about black women.

I think people will have great conversations about religions, women's sexuality, gender issues and gay issues.

I tell actresses, "If you're too tall, if you're too fat, you're not going to work. I don't care how talented you are." It's a business, and sex sells.

Anything involving the camera, you're passionate about. Because there's no movies without it.