“We developed that shorthand right at the beginning with A History Of Violence, I think.

“Once he realised that I did as much research as he did and took the job very seriously, but also liked to have fun on the set and not take myself, or the movie even, that seriously.  I’m being professional but keep it light and allow yourself to have the illusion that you have all the time in the world, that each take is its own little world…

“I think that we share a similar sense of humour, which is important, and a similar sense of what the job is, what it’s supposed to be about. That it’s supposed to be fun, that we like what we do, and you’re trying to make the most of each day. That’s really all there is to it.

“He also is very good with actors, he’s done some acting but I think he’s made as much of a study of actors, how they work, just for practical reasons so he can make better movies, as he has of the camera and how it works and lighting and music and editing and all the technical aspects of really making [a film].”