I had to fight to survive. Whenever I got beat up, I got upset, I also ran into the theater to watch a movie. […] I didn’t have money. I just sneaked in or watched the movie from the peephole. I have found my heaven in musicals. When I watch a musical, it makes me believe life is still beautiful. There are still a lot of beautiful people in the world. So I like the costumes, I love the song, I love all those smiles, I love those dance. In theater I found my heaven.

I’m not a master; I’m just a hard-working filmmaker. I would like everyone to see me as a friend rather than a master.

—John Woo