One of the joys of cinema is that, given the right circumstances, and the genius director, an incredibly wonderfully actor can become the embodiment of his character.

A conservative frame of mind is very limiting for an actor, and a human being, too.

Shakespeare lets us see real people undergoing real processes, with real feelings

You can't do what you've been asked to do unless you do the best you can. And roughly speaking, the best you can do is to be very available as a character and actor to the people you're acting with. That's equally important, whether the camera's on the other person or on you.

What I didn't understand was that the personal and the political go together. I felt at the time I had to sacrifice my children's present for their future. It seemed an either/or. I didn't realise that by being with one's own children I would have had a better understanding of the ones who are not my own. I was thinking of them but I didn't spend the time that they needed from me. It's a tribute to them that they came out so well.

The people I admire most are those who struggle for everyone.

We will always want films ... that basically are centred on young people, because young people is the way we live on, we older people, insofar as we live on.