The mullahs are part of the past in Iran, not its future. But change in Iran will come through engagement, not through confrontation.

The legitimacy of the leadership depends on what that country thinks of its leaders.

We should be therefore supporting a larger Europe, and in so doing we should strive to expand the zone of peace and prosperity in the world which is the necessary foundation for a stable international system in which our leadership could be fruitfully exercised.

I think it is important to ask ourselves as citizens, not as Democrats attacking the administration, but as citizens, whether a world power can really provide global leadership on the basis of fear and anxiety?

If we end up with war in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran at the same time, can anyone see a more damaging prospect for America's world role than that?

Sometimes in international politics, the better part of wisdom is to defer dangers rather than try to eliminate them altogether instantly.

We filmed 'Plebs' in Bulgaria, I made a lot of friends there, the architecture and culture are amazing - so to hear stories that they're here as criminals to sponge off the state, it was hurtful.

If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.

Culture is the arts elevated to a set of beliefs.

If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don't write, because our culture has no use for it.

I love cafe culture, art and intellect, the long hello and sweet goodbye.

Cinema is an art form that is designed to go across borders. And as a filmmaker, the only way I can direct a movie is when I feel close to my culture.