The core of the film [Hunt for the Wilderpeople] is that relationship. Whether they're getting on or whether they're not. If that relationship works, then everything else works as well. And you kind of almost, sort of, gives into a realm of something like New Zealand magic realism... There is no world in which social work is actually pursues some kid into the woods in this manner.

Big budgets don't necessarily give you big films.

This was only Taika Watiti fourth film [Hunt for the Wilderpeople], but I think he brings a very original way of looking at stuff and I think if you look at Boy, for instance, which is a beautiful film, that was his second feature, and it's heartbreakingly sad, but it's also simultaneously very funny. There are not many people who can do that.

Dexter' I'm very fond of. I got addicted to that.

I like actors. I like their insecurities, their humor and their intelligence.

If you want to learn about America, watch The Wire. Its a profound piece of entertainment.

I hate to say it, but there seems to have been some sort of dumbing down as far as movies go.