Jay Roach has helmed two of the most successful comedy franchises in history (“Austin Powers” and “Meet the Parents”). After six years off the big screen, he returns this year with “Dinner for Schmucks,” a comedy starring Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and fellow ShoWest honoree Zach Galifianakis.

THR: Have you always been interested in movies?

Roach: I got more interested in films in college. I didn’t grow up as a movie buff. In college, I worked my way through school as a projectionist and ultimately running a film series. That changed everything. I was pre-law and wanted to be a politician or go into public service of some kind.

What happened?

Working as a projectionist, watching films over and over in my little dark booth, I just fell in love. I changed my whole direction in my senior year and then applied to USC film school.

Do you feel like you can handle projection issues if things go wrong for you at a screening?

I’ve spent time in the projection booth when things have gotten a little screwy. I remember on the first “Austin Powers” at one of our previews, the sound started slipping further and further out of sync. I ran back and tried to help them solve it. Fortunately, Mike Myers went down to the front and did a live physical comedy routine to give us time to patch it together.

Any films stand out for you in your former job?

I was a projectionist for a Japanese film series and there were incredible films by Ozu and particularly Kurosawa that turned my head. I loved “Throne of Blood” and “Ran” and “Rashomon.”

You actually worked the very same job that those who are honoring you are currently working at.

Yes, for this other film series, I was an exhibitor and was booking films. We booked “Eraserhead,” which was the most incredible experience for me, so I became a David Lynch fan. And “Annie Hall” was probably the most important film for me.

How so?

I always had horrible relationship problems. I remember watching that film and thinking, “Oh, you can make a film about someone being that dysfunctional and finding it that hilarious?” That film cheered me up so much, I wondered if it would be a blast to try and make films just like that.

“Meet the Parents” is about people who are that dysfunctional and that hilarious.

(Laughs) I always looked at “Meet the Parents” as David Lynch meets Woody Allen. Or “Eraserhead” meets “Annie Hall.” I wanted that anxiety, nightmarish quality built in to it, but have fun at the expense of a character who is dysfunctional and sneaky and overcompensates to try to win the approval of his father-in-law.

When was the last time you cried at a movie?

I found “An Education” very heartbreaking. My wife (musician Susanna Hoffs) and I are real blubberers. We don’t just cry, we sob. When Carey Mulligan’s character has given up her whole chance at going to a good school and realized she’d fallen for all the lies … I empathized with her.

You’re known as a comedy guy. Is there a genre you’re dying to tackle?

I’ve always been drawn to films that are about how we set up our governments or our civilization. Anything to do with how people get along and accomplish things.

Your inner politician or public servant is coming through….

I did “Recount” two years ago for HBO about the 2000 election. It was a made-for-TV movie, but we treated it like a film and I shot it like a film. It was certainly not something people would have expected me to do.

How was the experience?

I’d love to do more films like that. I particularly love political satire like “Dr. Strangelove” and “Wag the Dog” or political thrillers like “All the President’s Men.”