There's one thing that I like about Rome that was stated by Napoleon: that from sublime to pathetic is only one step away. And in Rome there's a constant shifting between sublime and pathetic.

Andreotti had style and class; Berlusconi does not

The fear of old age is something that one feels when they're younger. Once you get to being old, you're already there, so you don't even think about it anymore.

It's better to face some problems as soon as you can.

The way I work with my cinematographer is not based on general principles, but the ideas are triggered by the locations where we shoot.

I hibernate. I hibernate until the next project takes shape in my mind.

I usually don't say anything to the actors. It works better for me because when they come to the set, they are at the same time scared and excited because they are not well aware of what will happen.