STEPHEN FREARS

I like a lot of takes. I just go on until the actors get it right.

I like making films about different cultures. I'm interested in things that I've never encountered before. I try to put myself in the audience's position.

The only way you can learn about making films is by making them, by putting your stamp on the thing.

As a director, my job is to protect. I protect scripts, actors, cameramen, designers.

I remember reading the script for 'Dangerous Liaisons' and thinking that I could quite happily spend the rest of my life watching this film; the story and the writing were so wonderful.

I've always found poverty a source of strength.

I have people around me. I have a semi-permanent crew. If I make a film, they just turn up. They don't even invite themselves. They don't ask if they can come - they just turn up!

Truth is quite constricting, in a way. You endlessly see at the start of a film 'This is a true story'.

I teach film directing, inasmuch as you can. It's not really possible to teach film direction, but I sit there as a sort of testimony of experience and know-how, I suppose.

It never crossed my mind to make a film about Muhammad Ali or the Queen or any of them! They just come out of the blue.

To be successful at anything, you need the right to fail, not just occasionally.

Audiences aren't fools - their judgement really is important. And the true heroes of films are the investors. They take the risk, after all.

I'm Jewish; I'm not religious at all, and I wouldn't pretend to know anything about Catholic politics.

I never thought I was very good at developing material. I grew up at the BBC where they sent you scripts.

When I go and teach, it sort of opens me up in some way. And when you're open, you're more receptive.

I want my films to get audiences. I am not interested in making them just for myself.

I can't write; I don't think I'm even particularly good at telling a writer what's good or what's missing. So, actually having someone who can do that is a godsend.

When I was young, my family used to go and stay in hotels on the south coast in places like Devon. I loved those holidays because they were with my brothers, who were away at school; I really looked forward to them.

Oh, I live in London. So, whether I like it or not, I am a member of the metropolitan elite. If I were anywhere else in the country, I'd hate me.

I had a somewhat charmed life. I was brought up at the BBC. I did meet so many people cleverer than myself in those years. Often, I was slapped down and made to feel not good enough.

There's one thing now that I experience every day when I'm making a film. I get up and think to myself, 'Am I going to be able to do it today?' I figure as long as I have that fear, I'll be alright.

It's Marvel movies that get the big audiences.

I'm a Republican, but I like the Queen. Like everyone else, I'm sentimental about the Queen.

I'm from the Midlands. I lived in London for 50 years, but I'm not sure that I think of myself as a Londoner. I can see that we're all metropolitan, whether we are Londoners or not.

I don't generally believe in people being knighted.