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I do like the idea of being an auteur in the sense of writing and being in your own stuff.

I don't quite know what an auteur is.

When you have an author and an auteur, it's a difficult and challenging relationship.

I've always said to people that auteurism is nice, but it's hypothetical, and gradually you learn how much or how little influence different directors had.

I always argued against the auteur theory; films are a collaborative art form. I've had some fantastically good people help me make the movies.

My roommate at Yale University introduced me to the auteur theory of filmmaking. I soon became a big fan of the works of John Ford, Kenji Mizoguchi, Ernst Lubitsch, and Stan Brakhage. I then decided to make my own films!

I know my theories and findings are hard for you to accept because they are so original and extraordinary.

What I always try to do is to respond to the song; I've always rebelled against theory.

I'm not sure what theory is, unless it's the pursuit of fundamental questions.