I think its important for movies to recognize that they are part of a history of movies. I also think that most movies are about movies anyway, even if they're about something else.

The ability to have a choice in what you do is a privilege.

There's only a handful of people I trust completely, and I know who they are. Other than that, I pretty much don't trust people.

I was drawn to photography as an extension of film, and the beauty of film is that it's a sensuous, fetishistic medium.

I feel lucky to be in whatever I'm in. I feel lucky to be working.

One of my favorite vampire movies is 'Nosferatu,' which has a palpable sense of dread that's a pre-war dread.

I prefer when movies target my heart instead of my mind.

I've been really interested in focusing on the aspects of my Russian heritage I'm proud of. I'm actually em­barrassed to tell people I'm Russian, because it's become such an awful place.

I think you can always find interesting, complex and fascinating characters to play in different kinds of movies. It's in your hands.

Maybe silence is something we're uncomfortable with as a culture, I don't know.

I've been lucky to be able to work with great people and on interesting material.

Rest, Recreated, Refreshed and Refuel!

Fame is a lot of pressure, especially when you're responsible for your entire family. Financially, emotionally - everything.

To be any sort of competent writer one must keep one's psychological distance from the supreme artists.

The kind of intelligence a genius has is a different sort of intelligence. The thinking of a genius does not proceed logically. It leaps with great ellipses. It pulls knowledge from God knows where.

How is it possible to exist with so much pain?

I would love to buy a piece of land in the Moon, just to feel very farsighted, extremely optimistic and absolutely crazy!

A reason I became a writer was to escape the hopelessness and despair of the real world and enter the world of hope I could create with my imagination.

Longing gives you the power to bless. Bless the entire creation. For, the longing in you is God.

How we survive, is what makes us who we are.