I try not to think of actors as I'm writing because I think you do them a disservice by writing for things they've already done.

You don't make a film because the audience is ready for it. You make a film because you have questions that are in your gut.

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.

You have to be careful of the advice you take.

I’m a deeply broken person, and broken institutions fascinate me.

It takes me awhile to find something that I'm passionate about. I'm reading a lot and thinking a lot, and torturing myself a lot because I'm feeling really guilty for not writing something today.

As soon as you think you know Clint Eastwood, you don't know Clint Eastwood.