Whenever people ask me what the story is for my next film, I won't tell and people feel it's because I'm being secretive or something, but it's actually because I'm ashamed to sum up a film in three sentences.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Doing interviews about my films really bothers me sometimes, because I have to speak directly and clearly about things I've intended to keep ambiguous, and in a way, I feel like I'm betraying my film.
I choose parts because I don't want to be embarrassed when the movie comes out. What if my friends were to see the movie? What if my niece or nephew wandered into the theater and saw the movie? I don't want to be too ashamed of it.
When you aren't doing too many films, people find other things to write about you.
I'm someone who has a singular goal in making films: I want to tell a story. There are certain stories that I want to tell.
I categorically resist this idea that films are supposed to be autobiographical and the only stories you tell are about your own life.
The thing is, as a film director, you're essentially alone: You have to tell a story primarily through pictures, and only you know the film you see in your head.
You set out to tell a good story. You don't do it because there is a deep message involved because the movie is almost always bad when you do that.
I'm telling the same story in every film.
If you're in a film that you're proud of and you care about, then you're always happy to talk about it.
I'm trying to figure myself out through my movies. Whether it's big stuff like what we're doing here, or little stuff like, 'Why aren't I happier?' With every film I feel like I'm apologising for something. I feel I'm most successful when I'm looking for something that embarrasses me about my character that I'd like to expose.