I don't want to be a film-maker. I think painting is far more exciting and profound. It's always at the back of my mind - let's give up this silly business of film-making and concentrate on something more satisfying and worthwhile.

Americans don't understand what metaphor in cinema is about. They're extremely good at making straightforward, linear narrative movies, which entertain superbly. But they very rarely do anything else.

Cinema is dead, long live cinema.

Bill Viola is worth ten Scorseses.

I have transmitted genetic material, all I have to do between my daughters' birth and my death is to decorate my life.

Since Caesar, we know his historians are liars. The good writers get read. Bad history doesn't get read.

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.