I suppose I am gently cynical about notions of who we think we are, but I certainly don't hate my fellow man. I think my cinema, although it might often deal with death and decay, is highly celebratory.

I don't believe that one has to tear down the cinema screen in order to renew cinema. But new input and new energy are lacking. They are flowing above all into the television technologies. We must, therefore, concentrate on the CD-ROM.

I admit that death is not just about you, it's also about the people who love you.

I can't think of anyone who has done anything remotely useful after the age of 80.

I certainly don't believe you documentary filmmakers. Like me, you are involved in making fiction, and your fiction is just as well organized and just as well predicated, but the big difference between me and you is that I'm honest and you're dishonest. I know I'm telling you lies.

There's no such thing as history, only historians. That's how we know about the past.

I got in trouble with the stern-faced Russians who didn't want me to create a guy who is mortal.