Before statehood was achieved, Syria and Egypt had their tanks and military equipment lined up to invade Tel Aviv and destroy it; but the Israelis scrambled together an air force, some of it from old Second World War Messerschmidts, and the invasion was halted.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Jihadism have nothing to do with each other.

With all the movies I've made about history, it's not really fun because you're trying to get it right. You've got history telling how it was, and then my imagination is telling me how I wish it had been, but I can't go there, so I have to censor myself. I'm very good about stopping myself from creating history that never occurred, but it's frustrating.

Our one goal is to give the world a taste of peace, friendship and understanding. Through the visual arts, the art of celebration of life.

A lot of kids only know 'E.T.' from the digitally-enhanced version.

And I may often question choices I make as a producer. But I've never questioned the choices I make as a director.

When I grow up, I still want to be a director.