I'm attracted to films that have strong female characters because there are strong female characters in my life. That's my own reality, so it's a doorway into a world for me.

The fact that my female characters have strong personalities but are also physically attractive probably reflects the women I've known in my life.

I don't try and write strong female characters or strong male characters, I just try and write, hopefully, strong characters and sometimes they happen to be female.

I pride myself on making my own decisions, sir," she said. "I do not welcome gentlemen making them for me.

I may be in pain, but I am not weak.

One of my favourite actresses is Kate Winslet. She plays strong female characters and seems like she has a strong political awareness. I really like Naomi Watts and Juliette Lewis.