When Americans shoot movies they aim at the entire planet. When the French make movies, they aim at Paris.

The world distribution of French movies is a laughing matter. That is a fact.

When a French book becomes an international hit it is because of the author and not because of the language. The same goes for movies.

I make movies just as painters paint: I work where I can.

When Picasso painted in Paris, was he a Spanish or a French painter? It does not matter, he was Picasso, whatever the influences surrounding him. He simply chose Paris because it was the ideal place for him to sell his creation.

My way of remaining French was the financing scheme I used for Quest for Fire, with Fox funds, since it started as a 100% American production. The film was not in French and yet was French in style, reflecting my personality.