'She's Gotta Have It' was shot in twelve days and two six-day weeks.

Everybody does what they want to do for their own specific reasons.

I think my work shows that I love women. I understand where these types of criticisms are coming from because black people have been so dogged out in the media, they're just extra sensitive.

I think black people have to be in control of their own image because film is a powerful medium. We can't just sit back and let other people define our existence.

I always give the example, if you turn on the radio today, black radio, Lenny Kravitz is not black. Bob Marley wasn't black: in the beginning, only white college stations played Bob Marley.

I'm always open. I try not to have a closed mind. In fact the only reason why I'm able to continue to make films since 1986 is I have been adaptable. If I weren't flexible I sure wouldn't be making films this many years as I've been doing it. I've been making a film a year almost since 1986 and that's hard. That ain't easy.

I don't dictate, you don't dictate to Stevie Wonder, not successfully.