I understand Sean Penn. He has every right to look for El Chapo.

The emotions of the actors are better when they understand the chronological factors that are adding to the story.

As a city, it is always compelling. But every day in Mexico City, I give thanks that I am alive.

'Biutiful' is a tough film. It doesn't make concessions to the vulgarity of light entertainment. It's not the kind of film that you see every day in the Cineplex. But as an artist, it's the thing that I needed to do.

I can't imagine David Lean justifying why he went to the desert to shoot 'Lawrence of Arabia.'

Ultimately, with every film I'd done before, there was a reference. They have their own uniqueness, but there was always a precedent.