Virginia Woolf was one example. She was called the "Lover of 100 Gangsters."

Women had enormous weight in America. And they still have. Because they are truly the padrone [owners, masters] of America.

My films are often characterized by the lack of women present in them, except for this last one [Once Upon a Time in America].

In my childhood, America was like a religion. Then, real-life Americans abruptly entered my life - in jeeps - and upset all my dreams.

I don't want to do a war film per se. Nor do I want to do a political film.

Especially in gangster films, with the gangster's moll - she would always be more or less of an object. And I'm not convinced of this theory. Because I think even gangsters' women have brains. They think and even, as we say, have balls.

I am searching as Diogenes did with his lantern for all of these wonderful human beings. I haven't found them yet.