Film is not analysis, it is the agitation of mind; cinema comes from the country fair and the circus, not from art and academicism.

I do not believe in the Cinema verite. Sometimes a really good lie is better than any truth.

Film is not the art of scholars, but of illiterates.

Civilization is like a thin layer of ice upon a deep ocean of chaos and darkness.

Amos Vogel was a mentor, a guiding light for me. In his presence, you always rose. But his importance to me is of minor significance. What is significant is that with him an entire epoch ends. The Last Lion has left us.I am still not capable - or rather unwilling - to understand the fact that Amos passed away, because a man like him cannot be dead. His traces are everywhere.

With actors, normally I don't like to have any conversation about background and about motivations and all this.

I do whatever pushes me hardest. It's coming at me and I try to... it's like uninvited guest and I have to wrestle them out the door or through the window - get them out and get over with them quickly.