I just admire people like Woody Allen, who every year writes an original screenplay. It's astonishing. I always wished that I could do that.

I live near San Francisco in the most beautiful spot on earth and enjoy myself in many ways. Yes, I love to work, which for now is to think and read and write, so it's all a dream come true.

I'm very proud of my flops, as much as of my successes.

I know that if a film is ready to emerge out of what I write, I'll be able to go off and make it without asking anyone's permission.

I wanted to be a film student again, as a man in my 60s. To go someplace alone and see what you can cook up, with non-existent budgets. I didn't want to be surrounded by comforts and colleagues, which you have when when you're a big time director. I wanted to write personal works.

I wanted to write and direct movies and not be forced to adapt them from a bestselling book.