Lars Von Trier and P. T. Anderson:

LVT: What I would like to talk about is this actor business, because, as I've told you, I was very fond of Magnolia and felt that there was a kind of familiar feeling about the results that you get out of the actors, and you told me that it was because you love them.

PTA: Uh-huh.

LVT: Which was a shock. If you love them--let's just say this is true--how do you work with them?

PTA: Well, they say the lines. And then--

LVT: --You say, ready?

PTA: Go.

LVT: Go? And then they say the lines?

(...)

BB: Do you not think it works for you to love your actors too much, Lars? Do you keep a distance?

LVT: I try not to, but actors are the only tin that stands between you and a good film. That's how it is. But we're talking about control. It's a little bit like filming animals--they are uncontrollable.