Even in this world where you’re getting everything you need and having this nice life, there’s still loneliness and longing and disconnection.

I like hiring people based on a feeling - this person gets it - rather than what they've done in the past.

I always aspire to that, where it feels like the film was made by the characters as opposed to the filmmakers. I try to be invisible.

Don't differentiate between 'This is a job' and 'This is what I'm doing for fun.' It's all simultaneous.

You make a movie that is about what you want it to be about and let people have their reaction to it.

The things that are really out of control, and scary, are emotions - of people around you, that are unpredictable, or those in yourself which are unpredictable.

If I leave my phone in the car and go to dinner or something for a few hours, I'm very proud of myself.

The past is just a story we tell ourselves.

Doing a documentary is about discovering, being open, learning, and following curiosity.

Be willing to get fired for a good idea.

On everything I do I'm always taking someone's money, whether it's a movie studio or a record label. Somebody's paying for it, and I'm always respectful of that. But I'm never going to compromise.

I want to remember what we were like before we became ourselves.

It is not given to each of usTo be desired.

Lies are convenient when the truth is unfathomable.

I think if you're going to be committed to doing anything, you really have to care about it, and I suppose that is a romantic idea.

Success is a poison that should only be taken late in life and then only in small doses.

Every practice at some point will become a hindrance. No practice can ever take you there, to freedom, to liberation. That's important to realize.

He who climbeth on the highest mountains, laugheth at all tragic plays and tragic realities.

I think the best thing I have is the introvert's ability to listen when you're working on something as complicated as this and you have to really be aware of everyone's specialized skills.

I guess I probably see myself as a director. If I had to choose, I think that that's the aspect of the process that I'm most excited by.

If you're retired, it's a blessing. You know, if you want to keep working and doing what you want to do, it's not a blessing as all - it's a curse.