I wanted to do a political film that is as nonpartisan as can be, because I wanted to do a story that was American. I wanted to tell an American tragedy.

I just love actors, and I've always loved actors. I empathize with their job. Everyone thinks it's easy, and it ain't. To be that vulnerable and brave on camera is tough.

We think we know what's right. With excessive pride comes blindness.

I was trying to talk about where we are right now as a society, and talk about the fear we all live in, and certainly since 9-11, how it's affected us and the world.

You don't do pictures because the audience is ready for them. You do them because there's something gnawing at you, something inside.

You have to be careful of the advice you take.

We give you characters we'd feel very comfortable judging, and then go: 'Oh yeah? Watch this'.