Both Alec Baldwin and Maria Bello were nominated for awards for their performances in The Cooler, but William H Macy's performance - which I thought was great - doesn't seem to have received the same critical acclaim. Why do you think that is? Richard Pavey, Swindon

That's something that's really troubled me, because I think Bill was wonderful - but then Bill is so consistently good that I don't think people expect anything else. The critics would probably only bother to comment if he put in an exceptionally weak performance.

I think the performances from Alec and Maria were noticed more because Alec had not had such an interesting part, with material so appropriate for him, for some time, and Maria had had trouble getting parts that matched her abilities.

There seem to be a growing number of South Africans coming to prominence in Hollywood - you and Charlize Theron are two that spring to mind - but very few South African films. How vibrant is the South African film industry and how much loyalty do you feel towards it? Andre Minnaar, Cape Town

I first came to work in the United States in 1986 after I'd finished national service in the South African military. There were no opportunities in South Africa at the time. No one was interested in my scripts, or even in hiring me as a production assistant.

I think I always knew that I was going to have to leave and go to America to get started - once I'd cracked the US, I would be in a good position to be successful in the rest of the world. I told myself that I had to start at the top. It took a long time, but it was the right strategy for me.

If the right subject matter comes up for a film set in South Africa, then I would definitely consider working there. People always refer to me as a South African, but I am a naturalised American. You never forget where you came from - that's part of who you are - but my life is in the US now.

I read that Batman was your inspiration for going into film-making. Are you looking forward to the new Batman film? Would you ever direct a Batman movie? Mark Little, London

I am very much looking forward to the new film. I hope that this time we're going to see a darker, more serious Batman. Batman was a huge influence on me - I was obsessed with it as a kid - and I'd love the opportunity to direct one. As I've got a bit older, my tastes have got a bit more sophisticated, though, and I've been influenced by films like Get Carter and Chinatown.

What is it like working with Alec Baldwin - he's my favourite actor? And was it a challenge to direct him in this movie? Charmaine Grima, Malta

I found working with Alec quite easy, because we were both on the same page with regard to his character, casino director Shelly Kaplow, early on. He was going through a really tough custody battle while we were filming, but he never took it out on the cast or the crew. I'd definitely like to work with him again.

Can a script where the main lead is killed off halfway through the movie ever get made? I have a stonking idea for a film if I could kill my (anti) hero. Barry Watkins, Aberystwyth

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