'Sugar Cane Alley' had a lot of international success, big success everywhere.

Francois Truffaut was my godfather on 'Sugar Cane Alley.' He believed in me and in that story, and told everyone that it should be made.

My grandmother always used to tell me, if I had a problem, I was only allowed to complain for one second. Then I had to take action.

I believe that the American audience is not so dumb that they wouldn't be interested in a black story.

When African-Americans come to France, the French show them more consideration than they would show an African or a Black Caribbean. When African-Americans come to France, the French people are like, 'Oh, wow. Oh my God.' But if it's an African, they're like, 'Whatever.' It's all because of the past, because of our history.

There are many projects I couldn't get off the ground because they didn't have white heroes. It's a problem that everyone who's been working in Hollywood has been facing.