I teach film directing, inasmuch as you can. Its not really possible to teach film direction, but I sit there as a sort of testimony of experience and know-how, I suppose.

The only way you can learn about making films is by making them, by putting your stamp on the thing.

Audiences arent fools - their judgement really is important. And the true heroes of films are the investors. They take the risk, after all.

To be successful at anything, you need the right to fail, not just occasionally.

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.

There's the physical life and the voice, but at some point you abandon all of that, you know what the spirit of the person is and you let it descend and just get on with it.

As a director, my job is to protect. I protect scripts, actors, cameramen, designers.

Emulate greatness to be great.

You have to be very strong and headstrong to make your place. You have to know how to say no. Patience is very important.

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.

I think the future for solar energy is bright.

Who is richer? The man who is seen, but cannot see? Or the man who is not being seen, but can see?

Parents must lead by example. Don't use the cliche; do as I say and not as I do. We are our children's first and most important role models.

You get pseudo-order when you seek order; you only get a measure of order and control when you embrace randomness.

I like automatic weapons. I fought for my right to use them in Vietnam.

When someone sets out to be controversial or provocative or shocking as an end in itself, I don't think that's a noble goal.

The next step is the path you're on.