DX: Yeah, but I would say that just six months ago the immigration debate was massive and there is an element there because it’s just focusing on Mexico and that’s not to say it isn’t an issue anymore but there is a racial aspect to it. There has to be.
MP: Yeah. I mean it is because we’re all immigrants.

DX: Yes. Except for the Native Americans.
MP: Well no one’s really American except for the Native Americans and they’re not really here anymore. I just think it’s funny that we’re all immigrants ans I have Spanish and Mexican blood. It’s funny. “We were here first and we can’t let you in!” But everyone I know is either Polish or Jewish or German so I haven’t really met many true Americans.

DX: Were you born here in America?
MP: Yeah, I was born and raised in Chicago and I moved when I was sixteen to California.

DX: Do you speak Spanish?
MP: Yeah.

DX: I just ask because with Babel you worked with Alejandro González Iñárritu and one of the things I do love about cinema today is that the great directors are of either Mexican-American or Spanish-American descent so you have Iñárritu, Alfonso Cuaron, and Guillermo Del Toro.
MP: I mean three phenomenal directors. Just very, very, very good. I loved Y Tu Mama Tambien and 21 Grams and Amores Perros and Babel and I got to admit that I love the fact that there are Mexican-Americans making it happen on the international front as opposed to just Mexico. I would like if I could see all the best movies all the time and work with all the best directors.

Check out HipHopDX's review of Lions for Lambs by clicking here.