The actors come and you start seeing things happen for real.

Most of the projects aren't that interesting anymore. There used to be a day when the studios made amazing films, and they were about human beings.

I like poetry, but honestly, I like dramatic literature more. If I had to pick between Rumi and Dostoevsky, I would pick Dostoevsky without even thinking about it. Ninety-nine out of 100 Iranians would probably pick Rumi. Kiarostami, too, would probably pick Rumi first. I try to have the meaning be in the action of the story, not in the symbolism. I want it to be in the action, and it's dramatic action that creates the meaning.

Sometimes we have dreams, but we just can't make them. That's normal.

Since Hollywood seems to be more interested in people wearing tights and using powers, there seems to be a fertile ground for movies about real human beings.

I'm not going to read reviews like, "I have to do these things." Any good criticism makes you think about your own films and about cinema in general.

I never say "Action" or "Cut." Never. I think that would disturb the life from happening in and around everything.