Billy Bob Thornton back as director (From The Oxford Times)

Billy Bob Thornton back as director

5:00pm Monday 13th February 2012 in Entertainment News © Press Association 2011

Billy Bob Thornton has revealed his frustration at the state of films in America prompted him to direct his first feature in more than a decade.

The 56-year-old was at the helm of 1960s family drama Jayne Mansfield's Car, which is premiering at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it is competing for the Golden Bear award.

Thornton - who previously directed All The Pretty Horses and Sling Blade - said he had been complaining about movies in America, so "instead of complaining, I decided to just write one and direct it".

The star also said he thinks he will go on to direct more movies "but I probably won't direct the next Star Trek movie or anything like that".

The cast of Jayne Mansfield's Car includes Thornton, John Hurt, Robert Duvall and Kevin Bacon.