Wisdom in fragments

I think it's always good to find a film which is a question and an answer. It's hard to do – and often, when you've already decided the answer before you make the film, you'll find the film is less successful. In a funny way- if you can frame your question accurately as something that you don't know the answer to- and use the film as a way of finding the answer- you'll get a more complex and engaging film.

Director of Bourne action films and political thrillers

In television, you have to start thinking in terms of images- and understand how drama changes from its theatrical to cinematic form.

British Filmmaker Known for Social Realist Films & Political Advocacy

I take it back to those still black and white photographs from earlier days, a form of photography that observes people, and explores the ways of observing them.

British Filmmaker Known for Social Realist Films & Political Advocacy

The look of a film indicates the relationship you have with characters. You don't pick an aesthetic in abstract – you need to have a core point, a core reason to make a film, and the form of aesthetic springs from that necessity. Everything has to relate to that core intention.

British Filmmaker Known for Social Realist Films & Political Advocacy

Working class life has been important to me; it's not a question of pity or disaster- but of enjoying the comedy, warmth and generosity of spirit that you find there – alongside the use of language, dialects, and the stories of childhood and old-age.

British Filmmaker Known for Social Realist Films & Political Advocacy

Contemporary photography is quite exploitative – and looks at people as objects in a display-case rather than as individuals with whom we have a shared common humanity, connection, and solidarity. Photography has gone from I am part of this, to look at this.

British Filmmaker Known for Social Realist Films & Political Advocacy

Politics and celebrity culture have always been deeply entwined. What happens in any society, country by country, is that we go through waves of celebrity focused and political focus. There's always been a blurring of the lines when it comes to the worlds of entertainment and politics.

Celebrity gossip blogger and media personality known for celebrity news website

As a whole, I think the media is a little more respectful now than it has been. I, for example, have a no kids policy on my website meaning I won't use any paparazzi photos of celebrities' children, whether at a playground, or when they're being picked up from school.

Celebrity gossip blogger and media personality known for celebrity news website

For the most part, there are more average celebrities than superstars. When most people think of celebrities, they think of A-listers, but there's also B-list, C-list, D-list, F-list and even Z-list... he gets all the perks of celebrity, without much of the negativity that comes from being an A-lister.

Celebrity gossip blogger and media personality known for celebrity news website

I just hope that those who become influencers make smart choices; it's the kind of attention that comes quickly and is very hard to maintain. The top 10 YouTubers 10 years ago are not the top 10 YouTubers now. There are a few people that remain, and who have maintained longevity, but for the most part, influencer culture is extremely short lived.

Celebrity gossip blogger and media personality known for celebrity news website

We have been interested in celebrities since the dawn of time. Jesus was the first celebrity, then the royal families.... It's human nature to be interested in the captain of the football team, the head cheerleader or who is doing what with who. It's human nature to be curious about those we perceive to be in elevated positions; not necessarily positions of power.

Celebrity gossip blogger and media personality known for celebrity news website

The world of celebrity offers an escape from the real world, and offers different things to different people. To many, the celebrity world is aspirational, they imagine themselves living that lifestyle and dream of how it would be to go to that premiere, have that fancy house, or that expensive vacation. For others, the world of celebrity is like watching a car-wreck.

Celebrity gossip blogger and media personality known for celebrity news website

The most vivid character of our time has been the enslavement of society to this profiteering system.

Chinese Artist & Dissident; Prominent Human Rights Activist and Political Critic

I'm grateful to be alive during this time. I can't think of a better time than this very moment. Freedom without struggle is an illusion. I love problems. How we deal with problems defines who we are and what values we stand for.

Chinese Artist & Dissident; Prominent Human Rights Activist and Political Critic

Without the internet and globalization, Ai Weiwei, as you know him, would not possible. My art comes from those influences and the persistent struggle to understand our time.

Chinese Artist & Dissident; Prominent Human Rights Activist and Political Critic

Power is seized with the gun and maintained with the pen. Controlling public opinion through propaganda and misinformation is the most critical task of an authoritarian power.

Chinese Artist & Dissident; Prominent Human Rights Activist and Political Critic