Madonna realises she has "a lot to learn" about filmmaking.

The singer-turned-director has faced criticism about her new movie 'W.E.' - a two-tiered tale about the love life of late British monarch King Edward VIII and American divorcee Wallis Simpson, and a modern day New Yorker named Wally - and she hopes people will go to see it because she has put so much effort into it.

She said: "I come to the art of filmmaking with great humility; I respect it immensely as an art form and I know I have a lot to learn.

"It would be great if people liked my movie and it's a success because that means I will be able to influence people. Let's be honest, one doesn't put all this hard work and effort into something, then say, 'I don't care if people see it or not, I don't care if people like it or not.' I hope it finds an audience."

The 53-year-old star - who is currently dating 24-year-old dancer Brahim Zaibat - understands she is a source of controversy but hopes she can use it for good.

In an interview with Radio Times magazine, she said: "I'm well aware that everything I say and do is judged with a different measuring stick to most people. I'm under the magnifying glass in a way that other people aren't. But I can also use that. I can influence people."