My father died prematurely at the age of 52 when I was 24, and it is a recurring regret that he never lived to see me succeed beyond university and drama.

I am drawn to writing and directing as it is most like the feeling I had when I was a teenager with my puppet theatre. You are more in control of everything and involved in every aspect of production, so more challenged and fulfilled.

When I came to England, the first director I met was Charles Sturridge, who told me, 'You speak like somebody out of the 1950s.

Time and time again I was told that I would never make the film on time and never make it on budget. That kind of criticism tends to turn me into a great big motor of efficiency.

I am a very judgmental person. Of myself and other people. I recognise it's a great fault, but I have no power over that.

I like fixing things.

I would still like to go to the moon before I die.