I collect names for characters. Names are valuable; they can be your first source of insight into a character.

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

If people go to IMDB, they will see that I'm very comfortable with independent cinema, and doing studio films too. For me this is not an either/or situation.

America doesn't have the moral right to tell other people what to do. To say the whole world has to fall into line is you-know-what. I hope more people will rise up.

I'm surprised that Hollywood and networks have not been diverse as other industries.

My cousin Malcolm Lee is also a filmmaker.

I don't think I'm a total pessimist, so I think you can find hope in all my films.