I think that there’s a pull and a push between whether you’re an individual, as I feel right now, or whether you are a part of society, and I think we are, all of us, pulled and pushed between these two things constantly. And you keep on saying, ‘Do I want to be what I am?’ or ‘Do I want to be part of society?’ Myrtle has two selves. One was that background of Gena Rowlands’ own personal life, of children, family, home, schooling; the problems of who you are and trying to fight for your own individual survival as you do all these other prescribed chores. The other is what you could be if none of these other things existed. The selfish, individual part of the person – your own mind’s eye view of yourself – is to me the epitome of an actress. If you would have no boundaries of commitment, you could then express so much. But in one sense, to me, it’s an anti-art film in that it says if you had your way you wouldn’t express a goddamn thing. If you had your total way. Actors, or writers, have to work under this duress – under a limited duress. You can’t be tortured, your ears can’t be torn off, your mustache pulled out hair by hair.