Steven Spielberg, you’ve been all over the world. Have you ever been to a place that has left you speechless with its beauty?
Well, it’s not just about beauty for me, it’s about culture. And I think probably the most fascinating and compelling place that I’ve ever visited was China. Beijing, Shanghai: I love the people. I made a film there in 1988, “Empire of the Sun”. The Asian market has very, very hungry people who are looking for entertainment of all kinds: not just tentpole Marvel-type movies, but movies of substance and movies about something real. I think that those markets, as we can see statistically, have opened up beyond my imagination 20 years ago. Where China is today, where Korea is today and where the whole of Asia is today is thanks to an incredible hunger and thirst for good entertainment. 

Who has been the most influential woman in your life, and what have you learned from her?
I had a very strong mom, and she was more of a friend to me than a primary caregiver. I learned so much from her and I learned so much about managing relationships, especially managing difficult personalities. In my eyes, women are better attuned to creating a kind of ambience, a family culture. And that’s the kind of culture I can create best. I think I’m better working in that kind of culture than I am just working, like on “Saving Private Ryan”, surrounded by guys all day long for three months. I work better with women.

What advice would you give your younger self?
I would probably say: you’re going to really succeed, so why don’t you friggin’ relax (laughs)? And stop biting your fingernails, Steven, because it’s going to happen eventually. Don’t worry so much about it: everything happens at its own time. 

When you look back on your life, is there anything you would like to have done differently?
What a good question, wow! Yeah, I think I would like to have taken my kids’ computers away about 17 years ago (laughs). I wish I could have not let them have any Internet on their telephones, so they all just had flip phones with no Internet access, and got all the news from the newspapers, from television and from dinner table conversations. I wish I’d been a stricter dad. 

What has fatherhood taught you?
Infinite patience (laughs)! You can’t be a father unless you’re patient. I have seven kids and each one was very different growing up. I love that about my family: I never knew what to expect because they are all so different and unique. 

The best gift you ever received?
An old-fashioned turntable that my kids gave me for my 70th birthday. I love vinyl records! 

Has your outlook on life changed since you turned 70?
Yes, I think I’ve become a little more cynical as I’ve gotten older. I can say “Action!” to a cast and get them to do exactly what I want them to do. But in real life none of us have the power to say “Action!” or “Cut!”.

How would you finish this sentence: Steven Spielberg is ...
... tired, because I’ve done two movies in one year and that’s more than one can handle.

But you don’t drink coffee, right?
Right: I have a natural adrenaline rush when I wake up and realise it’s a whole new day. Who knows what exciting things may come up? It feeds my soul and gives me energy. I’ve never had a cup of coffee in my life. I’m naturally caffeinated!·