According to filmmaker George Lucas, Russian directors at the height of the Cold War had more artistic freedom than he enjoyed when he was making movies in Hollywood.

"I know a lot of Russian filmmakers and they have a lot more freedom than I have. All they have to do is be careful about criticizing the government. Otherwise, they can do anything they want" while he must "adhere to a very narrow line of commercialism," Lucas told PBS's Charlie Rose on the Christmas night edition of his eponymous interview program.

Perhaps this hasn't gotten a lot of attention in the mainstream media because it aired on Christmas and because Lucas's "white slaver" remark garnered more controversy. And, let's face it, Lucas's comment probably makes a lot of sense to limousine liberals in the media who grouse about the ills of capitalism.

Here's the video and transcript of the relevant comments (h/t Wall Street Journal's Notable & Quotable feature):

PBS's Charlie Rose, December 25: