It takes a very strong brain to resist the absolutes, the myths that the media and the politicians peddle - the idea that if you are too kind, where does it all end? That not to help someone is somehow a good idea.

Filmmaking is something I have to do. It's not something I particularly want to do.

If I'm at home on my own and the writing isn't going well, I clean my house. And there have been times in the past few years when my house has looked really clean.

Life is much weirder than fiction; nothing's more absurd.

The films that I really enjoy now are films that are made by, for wont of a better word, mavericks.

There's no such thing as an actor giving positive criticism to a director. The minute you say 'Don't you think it would look nicer', that director's going to hate your guts. Particularly if it's a good idea.

Sometimes you have to confront your demons and sometimes even let them loose to genuinely find a place where you can gain some understanding.