I think it would be very boring dramatically to have a film where everybody was a lawyer or doctor and had no faults. To me, the most important thing is to be truthful.

Violence is a part of America. I don't want to single out rap music. Let's be honest. America's the most violent country in the history of the world, that's just the way it is. We're all affected by it.

When I went to school, you had to take art, you had to play an instrument. You had to play an instrument. But it's all degraded since then. I do not know what kind of nation we are that is cutting art, music, and gym out of the public-school curriculum.

I live in New York City, the stories of my films take place in New York; I'm a New York filmmaker.

I really don't deal with hypotheticals.

A lot of times, we censor ourselves before the censor even gets there.

Stick around long enough, you'll get some grace.