"I don't want to know movie directors. I don't want to be close to them. I don't want to interfere with their work. I don't want them to interfere with mine"

Patricia Highsmith's quote recommends that she values her independence and autonomy as an artist. She does not wish to be affected by the work of other movie directors, nor does she want to influence them. She wants to maintain her own creative vision and not be swayed by the viewpoints of others. This is likely because she thinks that her own ideas and analyses are the most important. She also does not wish to be too close to other directors, as she does not wish to be influenced by their work or have her own work be affected by them. This quote reflects Highsmith's desire to stay independent and to produce her own special art.