I Wouldn't Take A Directing Job If

In The '80s, Everyone Wanted To Be In Opera. It Was Groovy.

In 1977, Hip-hop Literally Wasn't Outside The Boroughs. But I Was Profoundly Aware Of The City Through Films Like Saturday Night Fever, The French Connection, And Network. I Had A Friend Who Visited New York, And I Asked Him What It Was Like. He Said, "oh, It's Great. Just Wear A Coat And Don't Look Anyone In The Eye."

When I Was Growing Up You Would See Big American Films That Really Mythologised Their Landscape, That Really Showed The Vastness And The Drama Of Their Country.

There's A Whole System In Hollywood Where The Director Never Speaks To The Studio, But I Like To Engage Them In A Discussion. I Listen.

I Mean, '8 ½' To Me Is Such A Great Dissertation On The Whole, You Know, Act Of Filmmaking And Creativity.