I had a somewhat charmed life. I was brought up at the BBC. I did meet so many people cleverer than myself in those years. Often, I was slapped down and made to feel not good enough.
This black hole that people talk about in my career in the '70s, when I didn't make any films - in retrospect, what I was doing was learning my job.
I have never been to Australia, because the flight terrifies me, but I think I would like to go there one day.
I like a lot of takes. I just go on until the actors get it right.
I like making films about different cultures. I'm interested in things that I've never encountered before. I try to put myself in the audience's position.
The only way you can learn about making films is by making them, by putting your stamp on the thing.
To be successful at anything, you need the right to fail, not just occasionally.
Audiences aren't fools - their judgement really is important. And the true heroes of films are the investors. They take the risk, after all.
As a director, my job is to protect. I protect scripts, actors, cameramen, designers.
I'm Jewish; I'm not religious at all, and I wouldn't pretend to know anything about Catholic politics.
Truth is quite constricting, in a way. You endlessly see at the start of a film 'This is a true story'.
I've always found poverty a source of strength.
I remember reading the script for 'Dangerous Liaisons' and thinking that I could quite happily spend the rest of my life watching this film; the story and the writing were so wonderful.
I teach film directing, inasmuch as you can. It's not really possible to teach film direction, but I sit there as a sort of testimony of experience and know-how, I suppose.
When I go and teach, it sort of opens me up in some way. And when you're open, you're more receptive.
I never thought I was very good at developing material. I grew up at the BBC where they sent you scripts.
It never crossed my mind to make a film about Muhammad Ali or the Queen or any of them! They just come out of the blue.
I have people around me. I have a semi-permanent crew. If I make a film, they just turn up. They don't even invite themselves. They don't ask if they can come - they just turn up!
I want my films to get audiences. I am not interested in making them just for myself.
There's one thing now that I experience every day when I'm making a film. I get up and think to myself, 'Am I going to be able to do it today?' I figure as long as I have that fear, I'll be alright.
