In Conversation With... Steven Soderbergh

Steven Soderbergh is a cinema polymath whose prolific career defies easy categorization, yet is unified by his passion for exploring bold storytelling and technical innovation. From the indie verité of sex, lies, and videotape (1989), which was awarded the Palme d’Or at that year’s Cannes Film Festival, and the slinky neo-noir aesthetic of Out of Sight (1998) to the blockbuster sheen of the Ocean’s trilogy (2001, 2004, 2007), Soderbergh’s filmography offers a kaleidoscope of styles and genres. His dual triumphs at the 2000 Academy Awards — a Best Director win for Traffic and nomination for Erin Brockovich — is testament to his gift for balancing critical acclaim with popular success, as evidenced further by Contagion (2011), Magic Mike (2012), and Behind the Candelabra (2013). Beyond the director’s chair, Soderbergh’s contributions as producer, editor, and cinematographer have solidified his status as a singular force in contemporary filmmaking. Join us as we explore the multifaceted career of this visionary and discuss his most recent feature, TIFF Centerpiece selection Presence, starring Lucy Liu and Chris Sullivan, which once again offers a unique point of view on the art of storytelling.