The Canadian cinema magazine Playback asked me:

To hear economists tell it, the world has been ending since September. And though many in the industry have, no doubt, been stung by the world's money woes, others have not yet had to line up outside a soup kitchen, or move into a cardboard box. So we ask:

"Have you personally been affected by the global financial crisis?"

My answer was:

I'm from a former communist country. There was nothing to eat, no electricity, no heating. You might think it was pure despair. But no, it was actually fun. It was one of my most creative periods. A little shaking up always does some good to the mind and the creative spirit.

What they cut was - in a time of an economy crisis - go and by the most expensive wine, and some caviar and nice cheese, some nice clothes, find a beautiful woman, make a film, and the crisis disappear. If there is not bread - there is always some cake!