If I didn't self-censor, I would be in jail, and then I wouldn't be effective at all.

What is revolution except a systematic way for one species to eat another alive?

I think the isolation in China also has to do with people's memories being wiped out, collective memories as well as individual memories, by the fact that the recent history has been constantly rewritten and revised.

But loneliness is as delusive a belief in the pertinence of the world as is love: in choosing to feel lonely, as in choosing to love, one carves a space next to oneself to be filled by others - a friend, a lover, a toy poodle, a violinist on the radio.

There is a certain amount of politeness here in America, which is probably more than just politeness.

Even the most innocent person, when cornered, is capable of a heartless crime.

In film, you have to present everything on the screen so it's the opposite of what I usually do with storytelling. It forced me to think about how people walk, where they sit at that moment. With Princess of Nebraska, it was just fun to watch because the movie was so far from the story. It was very much a different story.