The Talks

Actor Lupita Nyong'o: "I like to play women who are in contrast to me. I think that’s how I look at it: What aspect of this character offers me a chance to explore something new about my humanity?" the-talks.com/interview/lupi…

Artist Ebecho Muslimova: "I wouldn't call my character Fatebe an alter ego. I think she’s more of a surrogate self. She allows me to flatten out certain emotional experiences that are formless because they are in my own interior." the-talks.com/interview/ebec…

Singer Debbie Harry: "I am recognizably known as Blondie, and it was my idea for the band's name — but we are partners. It is definitely a group identity." the-talks.com/interview/debb…

Actor Lily James: "Making more contemporary film is the route that I want to keep going down so I can express myself in a manner that is closer to me as a person." the-talks.com/interview/lily…

Journalist Ira Glass: "If an interview goes well, it can be really hard not to fall in love with the person! If they’re being honest with me and I’m responding in a heartfelt way, it’s hard not to have a feeling that goes with that." the-talks.com/interview/ira-…

Filmmaker Jane Campion: "A faithful adaptation is not enough, it has to have that inspiration of love. It has to go beyond it." the-talks.com/interview/jane…

Chef Niki Nakayama: "I think with food, there’s a tendency to go very cerebral. But I always go instinctive first! Complicated recipes might sound good on paper but when you put it in your mouth, if it doesn’t taste good, it’s not a good dish." the-talks.com/interview/niki…

Filmmaker Agustina San Martin: "I use dreams a lot for inspiration! I've always had intense and memorable dreams that I could perfectly remember and write down after, and I always left the open door for that, for dreams to show me things." the-talks.com/interview/agus…

Photographer Brigitte Lacombe: "I am interested in photographing the person as bare as possible. This means that I do not want a concept or an idea. I don’t want to put people into special situations, ask them to do specific things, or act a certain way." the-talks.com/interview/brig…

Filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan: "Getting scared at the movies is that little bit of frisson, it shoots through us... All of our senses are heightened and that's a pleasing feeling — to be really alive, like it's awake and you're present." the-talks.com/interview/m-ni…

New this week, costume designer Deborah L. Scott: "It’s the most gratifying thing when a costume works. You have all these nerves, but then when they put the costume on, it's like opening night, every time. It takes your breath away." the-talks.com/interview/debo…

Artist Gab Bois: "My best ideas come when I’m not really looking for them. So that’s how I try to be most of the time, just keeping myself in this position to catch those ideas when they come." the-talks.com/interview/gab-…

Actor Bruce Dern: "I think all actors have to be dreamers. I think every citizen of every kind of society has to dream. If you stop dreaming, it’s over." the-talks.com/interview/bruc…

Rapper Genesis Owusu: "I make music for me! Other people liking it is just a bonus. If no one likes my music, if no one liked the album I put out and I had the chance to go back and change it… I don't think I would." the-talks.com/interview/gene…

#AvatarTheWayOfWater producer Jon Landau: "We're not thinking about what other franchises are doing. It doesn't matter to us, we have to be true to ourselves. As filmmakers, we have to be true to Avatar." the-talks.com/interview/jon-…

Actor Henry Cavill: "I think trying times are always good environments for growth so I've spent a lot of time in self-reflection. If you're reflecting enough, then you can try and turn into something positive." the-talks.com/interview/henr…

Rapper Denzel Curry: "Now I’m fueled by several other different kinds of emotions; joy, happiness on a good day, everything, whereas before it was only either sadness or anger." the-talks.com/interview/denz…

Chef Daniel Boulud: "I think nouvelle cuisine opened the gate, and gave the opportunity to explore much further than just the French classic cuisine." the-talks.com/interview/dani…

Actress Mila Kunis: "Hollywood is competitive but it is also all based on opinion. The first director might think I am a horrible actress and the next director might think I am great! That is the sad thing, there is no right and wrong." the-talks.com/interview/mila…

Mountaineering icon Ed Viesturs: "My biggest motivator for training and preparing was my fear of failure. It’s easy to quit, right? But tomorrow, how do you feel?" the-talks.com/interview/ed-v…