Quotes from Paul Haggis

We all have these tendencies in us that could go this way or that. I think that's the real key in writing. To look at a character without judgment.

When I discovered European filmmakers, it affected me so deeply. It redefined what cinema could be. I mean, 'Blow-Up' ends with a dead body and mimes playing tennis. What?

I don't think it's the job of filmmakers to give anybody answers. I do think, though, that a good film makes you ask questions of yourself as you leave the theatre.

I don't know if 'Crash' is a good movie or not because I didn't set out to make a movie. Really, what I wanted to do is more of a social experiment.

My one guiding rule for success in the film world would be, be careful of your friends.

You don't make a film because the audience is ready for it. You make a film because you have questions that are in your gut.

The wonderful thing about Clint is you can never second guess how he is going to react to anything.

I like it when an actor is secure enough to ask questions, and the director is secure enough not to be threatened by that.

All my work is partly biographical. I mean, 'Crash' was absolutely that, absolutely. But you just wouldn't recognize me in most of those characters. But I was in every single one of those characters in 'Crash,' because those were all fears that I had felt. Things that I had thought in my deepest, darkest heart.

We're trying to reinvent Bond. He's 28 - no Q, no gadgets.

The worst thing you can do to a filmmaker is to walk out of his film and go, 'That was a nice movie.' But if you can cause people to walk out and then argue about the film on the sidewalk... I think we're all seeking dissension, and we love to affect an audience.

The great majority of Scientologists I know are good people who are genuinely interested in improving conditions on this planet and helping others.

As a general rule, I don't plan to travel with my Oscars, but we may have to make an exception.

What I love about writing is the contradictions we all embody as human beings.

I've lived in America for many years. I mean, I love being a Canadian, but I truly identify with America. I love America so much.

A lot of films made me love the movies, everything from Hitchcock to Godard. But the ones that really grabbed me were Costa-Gavras's films like 'Z' and 'State of Siege.'

I'm a deeply broken person, and broken institutions fascinate me.

I wrote an episode for 'thirtysomething,' and a producer said, 'That's really good, but what is it about? What does it say about you? What questions are you asking yourself?' I had never thought about that. This comment changed who I was, because it made me look at my own soul, the dark corners in my soul, and accept that dark side.

We give you characters we'd feel very comfortable judging, and then go: 'Oh yeah? Watch this'.

Irish and Italian are my two favourite people.

In Scientology, in the Ethics Conditions, as you go down from Normal through Doubt, then you get to Enemy, and, finally, near the bottom, there is Treason.

I just love actors, and I've always loved actors. I empathize with their job. Everyone thinks it's easy, and it ain't. To be that vulnerable and brave on camera is tough.

The wrong one will start saying things like "withdraw with honor." We've heard phrases like that before, and they led to thousands and thousands of deaths. Democrats always want to look tough.

Even in a comedy, you have to make people feel. You have to put your hand inside their soul and twist out their heart.