I've seen so many women in my family, so many mothers, that have lost children in the war in such absurd ways. I wonder how they do it. How do they keep living? How do they keep smiling?
I think you owe it to yourself and you owe it to your status as an artist to be true to who you are.
I have learned to do what I want without hurting anyone. I've learned how to get away with it, with everything. I'm getting away with what I'm trying to do on film but also in my own way.
Lebanon is not only burning buildings and people crying in the street. When you say 'Lebanon,' especially to foreigners, that's the first thing they think of.
I like to believe that my actors are not acting. That whatever they are doing, or whatever has been said, would happen in real life.
Movements like Time's Up and #MeToo are putting the problems out there and creating conversations about the issues, and that's really how the healing process starts.
Critics' points of view can be one thing today and be very different in a few years.
I think of myself more as a director than as an actress. But I do like to perform and express myself in different ways, and I'll keep on doing so, provided I can find interesting roles.
I don't think I make 'Chick Flicks.'
It's very important to me to understand myself and my place in the world. My films help me with that, and the more people see them, the more I am making a statement.
It's only normal for me to work with my family because I think they are talented and because there's a warmth when I'm working. As a filmmaker, sometimes you are very fragile. You are in a very fragile situation most of the time. I think it's important to be surrounded by people you just get along with.
I don't like to work with people I don't have any connection with.
I like to express myself fully with my body, with my language, with my voice, and through directing.
I always felt that anything is possible.
