I'm not a very good predictor in any area of art, particularly my own. I don't know how to evaluate that.

Hollywood was set up by a bunch of businessmen. They do not see their job as being philanthropists. I don't think it's a contradiction in terms to attempt to be a good businessman and to also be liberal.

You are not an active creator of the film.

You know, essentially when you do a play you're reinterpreting a work of art that already exists. That's not what happens with a movie.

There's a religious basis to their [Bush and Chaney] kind of conservatism. It's rooted in a kind of fundamentalism. I'm afraid of that. I don't like that idea. I think all extremism is suspect.

And I taught acting for years, and without knowing it that was the real thing that started bending me toward directing.

You mustn't regret decisions that you make. Because the decisions are made out of your gut in a way and you have to stick with them.