I like movies about longing and desperation and dark and light things stories about people struggling to raise children and to have relationships and be intimate with each other.

What I don't like are pompous pretentious movies.

You know I was a huge fan of comedy and movies and TV growing up and I was able to memorize and mimic a lot of things not realizing that that meant I probably wanted to be an actor.

Cronenberg's a lot of fun and that a lot of people don't know watching his movies. He doesn't take himself seriously. He's still reinventing himself.

I was a huge fan of comedy and movies and TV growing up and I was able to memorize and mimic a lot of things not realizing that that meant I probably wanted to be an actor. I just really really amused myself and my friends with memorizing entire George Carlin or Steve Martin albums.

In America we have so many movies and so much media about the Islamic world the sub-continental world but it's not a conversation it's a monologue. It's always from one point of view. 'If we don't tell our own stories no one will tell them' is my mantra.

Cinema is entertainment and people go to the movies because they want to feel good and forget about everything.

I often begin movies with music in my head it's a very important dimension to me. Not just the music itself but how to use music in film: when and how and subtlety. I don't like to be too sweet in my stories and I like the abrasive clang the contrasting of sounds and cultures.

I did direct two short movies. I learned many things and one of the things I learned was that I am not a director. It has to be visceral and it's not for me. I feel much more comfortable acting.

When you see violence in movies in general it's very quick and painless which isn't what it's like.