“For example, Jewish directors coming from Germany or Austria and enriching Hollywood. In 15, 20 years, Hollywood became imperialistic. Cinema goes ahead when it is marriaged by other culture. Otherwise, it turns on itself.”

What I was talking about was, of course, very autobiographical – ’68 was the moment when all the young people were incredibly excited, because when we were going to sleep, we knew we would wake up not tomorrow, but in the future.

I’m no longer interested in making political films. There’s something old-fashioned about them.

New York has always embraced me.

You know, in ten years you’re gonna be playing soccer with your tits, what do you think of that?

The most important thing of all, the thing that lasted, was the first feminist movement and the position of women in society. That completely changed and that was very, very important.

A monoculture is not only Hollywood, but Americans trying to export democracy.

Sometimes you are in sync with the times, sometimes you are in advance, sometimes you are late.

There’s no more film; now everything’s digital. I welcome this. It’s fantastic for me to have a new chance.

Having no children had been a kind of choice up to the moment when, from a choice, it became a sadness.

The movies I like are always movies where cinema is reinvented like if it was the beginning of cinema.

As a loyal believer in the Auteur Theory I first felt editing was but the logical consequence of the way in which one shoots. But, what I learned is that it is actually another writing.

Every film I have made has corresponded to a very special moment of my life. I like to think that if someone wanted to reconstruct the story of my life, they can just see my movies and know what I have been through.

I accept all interpretations of my films. The only reality is before the camera. Each film I make is kind of a return to poetry for me, or at least an attempt to create a poem.

I am in love with the idea of doing a movie in 3D. I think 3D would be great for the story I want to do, in a realistic, normal story, using 3D on the emotions in a kind of intimate story.

A name? Oh, Jesus Christ. Ah, God, I’ve been called by a million names all my life. I don’t want a name. I’m better off with a grunt or a groan for a name.

I think that Hollywood should also be influenced by directors from Hong Kong. You see how Quentin Tarantino is really the example of how you can develop, and how you can go ahead if you accept the existence of different cinematic cultures.

This time you’ve dug yourself an anchor too heavy to move ahead with.

Go ahead, take out your dong.’ ‘I’m not taking out my dong. And by the way, who uses the word dong?

America looks 10 minutes ahead; Japan looks 10 years.

We can’t ignore the fact that ahead of us is a great war and this war is going to need significant preparation.

Go ahead, climb up onto the velvet top of the highest stakes table. Place yourself as the bet. Look God in the eyes and finally, for once in your life, lose.

Many filmmakers have made resurgent work, and I was just a little ahead of the time.

Without the anticipation of better things ahead, we will have no heart for the journey.

I’ll take a break for a couple weeks for a project that is paying me money like a television project which I try to stay away from just to stay financially ahead of the game.