There are a thousand weird untold stories in the Australian film industry, this has been one of them.

I just wanted to do this all Australian film and we didn't want to give creative control to overseas 'cause whoever comes on my sets, whether you're sweeping the floor or an actor, it doesn't matter who comes up with the ideas, it's a collaboration.

The American formula things are out there but they don't have any stories to tell - we have all the stories to tell - but they're all formula.

Can you imagine what it would be like if all the Aussie film talent was able to make Australian stories?

Then if your movie clicks with real audiences, you'll be sucked into some sort of Hollywood orbit. It's a devil of a place where the only religion that really counts is box office.

We've got so many stories to tell, you know, we could take on the world.

The obsession required to see a feature through from concept to release is not a rational thing to do with your brief time on this planet. Nor is it something to which an intelligent person should aspire.