“We’re a species wired for narrative, and I love being a part of that storytelling continuum. It’s a real pleasure and privilege to be working in a space that is built on the emotional connections (or disconnections) between people. When I start thinking of a movie, I see faces. I don’t see shots. I see faces with a certain feeling, expression.” – Steven Soderbergh, episode 231 of Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
Since 1989 (Sex, Lies, and Videotape), filmmaker Steven Soderbergh has been a pioneering voice in American cinema. Part free-wheeling iconoclast, part exacting technician.
Today, we return to our conversation with the legendary artist. First, Soderbergh describes his process making No Sudden Move amid the pandemic (9:35), his ability to push past creative blocks, the importance of 1998’s Out of Sight, the seismic impact of his late mentor, Mike Nichols (30:25), and how a formative moviegoing memory (29:28) informed his ideas on the role of storytelling (33:37). Before we go– Steven speaks candidly on the future of movies (40:09) and his role in them (42:46).
This episode originally aired on June 27th, 2021. To hear our latest talk with Sean Fennessey, listen here. Thoughts or future guest ideas? Email us at sf@talkeasypod.com.
Show notes
- Watch Steven’s films including No Sudden Move, Out of Sight, Ocean’s Eleven, Logan Lucky, Erin Brockovich, Magic Mike, Contagion, The Limey, The Informant!, and Sex, Lies, and Videotape.
- Read his interviews with Esquire from 2002 & 2009.
- For more talks, hear our conversations with Ava DuVernay, Richard Linklater, Janicza Bravo, Werner Herzog, and Hiro Murai.
- Order your Talk Easy mug in cream and navy or our vinyl record with Fran Lebowitz.
Illustrations by Krishna Shenoi.
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