100 Quotes by Kevin Macdonald

I like to take a little of what I learned in fiction and apply it to documentary and vice versa.

People listen to The Beatles, but while they were muscially influential, they weren't culturally influential in quite the same way. You can go into the back of beyond in a little Indian village, and they will listen to Bob Marley. But they're not going to be listening to The Beatles or The Rolling Stones.

The submarine genre is a category with all its own rules. But shooting on water is famously tough.

I'm a cynical person who's normally attracted to the dark side of things.

If you go to pretty much everywhere in the developing world, you will find Bob Marley murals, and you'll find people playing his music.

I was fascinated by making a submarine movie, inspired by the Kursk disaster. This idea of being trapped down at the bottom of the sea seemed so terrifying. I was very interested in making a sub film which wasn't a military film. You think, Well, why are they there, then, if they're not in the military? Oh, well, they must be looking for treasure.

When you're an outsider and going into a culture like America, it's easier to stay away from any cliches because you're not really aware of what they are.

It's interesting to me that the Arab Spring started in Tunisia, and in the marches, people were singing 'Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights.'

It is hard to find the soul of Mick Jagger. It is very hidden. I think his true personality has receded so far behind the facade that he can no longer find the real person himself.