I think it is obscene that we should believe that we are entitled to end somebody's life, no matter what that person has supposedly done or not done.

I passionately believe in heroes, but I think the world has changed its criteria in determining who it describes as a hero.

I prefer fact to fiction.

And there are certain things, and they are evident, obviously, without being boring about it, but I mean obviously, the two evident and easy ones being Gandhi and Cry Freedom, there are things which I do care about very much and which I would like to stand up and be counted.

I don't blame people for their mistakes, but I do ask that they pay for them.

And that is how I employ my time in cinema, saying things about people who I think have touched us in terms of our value judgement and by example.

I was on my own union council for twenty-odd years.