Film schools didn't exist when I was growing up. I learned by working with clever people. Good writers and cinematographers.

As a director, my job is to protect. I protect scripts, actors, cameramen, designers.

I've always found poverty a source of strength.

I like making films about different cultures. I'm interested in things that I've never encountered before. I try to put myself in the audience's position.

For me, it's my work - I have a job, and that job happens to be with insanely talented actors. At this stage, it's normal to me. But when I meet new people, I realise, 'Oh, yeah, it's actually really strange. I have a very unique hobby.'

I don't see myself as a moviemaker only, you know? When I can do a picture, I do. But I don't work like a business, in pictures. I am not obliged to make one picture after the other in order to live.

Against the wishes of my family, I gave up my legal career, and I volunteered for the Army. I became an infantryman. I went to Iraq and Afghanistan.

If I had not passed through trial - through passion, one could say - through these years so painful and so rich, I don't believe I could take on my life and my career as I do today.