Film director Mike Figgis, whose Leaving Las Vegas was nominated for two Oscars, has since worked at the cutting-edge of digital film on projects including Timecode and Suspension of Disbelief. Below, he talks about the close links between truth and imagination and why the search for truth is an impossible journey.

To what extent do you think that imagination is the route to truth about the human condition?

It would be hard to envisage any concept of truth without the concept of imagination. Truth is a rather ephemeral, personal and malleable commodity or concept, therefore the debate about truth requires a very fertile discussion about imagination. In a way they are synonymous with each other.

Do you think we imagine the truth or do we just imagine ways to the truth?

Well, how do you define truth?

That’s an interesting question. Many philosophers would argue that there isn’t one. Is that your position?

No, I don’t think that at all. I asked you what your position on truth was and you quoted someone else. What do you think truth is?