Bernardo Bertolucci Not known for giving interviews abundantly, Bertolucci was delightfully open and revealing before the sea of reporters and cameras. Since no recent film was presented, the questions turned towards his past seeking new insight into this master's film works featured in a retrospective at San Sebastian. 1900 was his first film screened at San Sebastian in 1977. Which work are you most proud of? Least proud of? BB: It's not a question of pride, but I have a better relationship with some of my movies. My best film I haven't made yet and the second best was the last one I made (Besieged, which screened at San Sebastian in 98). I try to avoid seeing my old movies. I'm more like a criminal who doesn't want to go back to the scene of the crime. Working with stars ? BB:All actors are so different. I started out working with non-actors and then in the 60s and 70s had great pleasure working with real actors. It's a question of seduction. Very often I choose my actors because there's something secret to discover. Marlon Brando for example had a reputation of being difficut, but I never had a problem with him. The chemistry worked. There's always a sense of pride in finding new actors such as Gerard Depardieu and Robert De Niro who starred in 1900. They are completely opposite like the roles they played in the film. Depardieu is the type of actor who needs a little push and off he goes. De Niro on the other hand needs to talk it through and get insight into his role. At 60, would you consider yourself on the decline? Sometimes I think it happened 30 years ago... I have a strong feeling that in general there are some major changes coming for the world of cinema and I don't want to miss that... I think I die with each film that I make and the next film is my reincarnation.