Steven Soderbergh: The Pocket Essential Guide

The Pocket Essentials: Film

by Jason Wood

Who is Soderbergh? Currently Hollywood's hottest hot shot, Soderbergh burst onto the independent scene with his provocative, multi-award winning feature debut sex, lies and videotape in 1989. With the film world seemingly at his feet the guy from Baton Rouge committed critical and commercial hara-kiri, producing a black and white film about the life of writer Franz Kafka that fell foul of studios and audiences alike. The critics liked it though and they were to stay with him through a lean period, which produced increasingly personal, cine-literate projects which very few people saw. Out of favour in Tinseltown, Soderbergh continued to plough his own furrow, producing numerous notable Indie pics along the way. Though disillusioned with his craft, it was arguably during this period that he produced some of his best work. Thankfully the head honchos at Universal had kept Soderbergh's number on speed dial and when a director was needed to give a little sparkle to Out Of Sight, Soderbergh got the call. Back in the big time - but very much on his own terms - the rest as they say is history for the self-proclaimed luckiest bastard you ever saw. As well as an introductory essay, this Pocket Essential reviews and analyses each of Soderbergh's films. There's a handy reference section listing all the Soderbergh related publications- and there ain't many- and a full filmography including Soderbergh's tireless work as a producer and cameraman.

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First published January 1, 2002