I didn't get upset because I wasn't nominated, but I was a little surprised.

Directing an opera is similar to directing a play. The singing must not get in the way of the drama.

In Australia, they set up a special fund to kick films off. It was quite an enlightened sort of move. You could go to this government bureau with scripts and and get finance for films.

When we were trying to get the money for Driving Miss Daisy, everyone kept saying no one could direct it well enough to entertain an audience for 100 minutes essentially watching three people chatting in the kitchen.

I'll be willing to do things that politicians won't do. Because I don't care who I upset.

We were very surprised, disappointed and upset with the Cleveland Clinic's approach.