Russia itself is an extremely complex country, and sometimes I feel like all of that comes back to haunt me. I can see why so many Russian writers were so tortured.

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.

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.

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.

The thing American people fear about corporations is that they might achieve too much power. We have an antipathy to power even as we admire it.

Sometimes comfort doesn't matter. When a shoe is freakin' fabulous, it may be worth a subsequent day of misery. Soak in Epsom salts and take comfort in the fact that you're better than everyone else.

Education is education, be it verbal or written.

My only model for being a father was my father, an illiterate on the margin of society.

It's okay to treat yourself once in awhile. I'm not going to stop eating Mexican food!

It is computed that eleven thousand persons have at several times suffered death rather than submit to break their eggs at the smaller end.

We cannot choose with whom we cohabit the world.

If you’ve ever wondered why some writers who, in your humble opinion, don’t write as well as you do yet are rich and famous while you struggle onward, this is the reason. They are great directors.

there is probably no such thing as an innocent question, at least not when a parent is doing the asking.

Almost every man looks more so in a belted trench coat.