PARK CITY, UTAH – The recent Sundance premiere of director Steven Soderbergh’s new film “Presence” had a surprising twist: the entire cast stayed to watch. Usually, actors shy away from watching their own premieres, preferring to avoid seeing their own performances. But at the screening of this ghostly thriller about the troubled Payne family, the cast, including Lucy Liu and West Mulholland, were glued to their seats, visibly anxious alongside the rest of the audience. Even Liu confessed to being deeply affected by the film, claiming that her body was reacting as if she hadn’t acted in it.
What made “Presence” particularly intriguing to the audience was its unique point-of-view. The entire story is told from the perspective of a ghost, offering a chilling take on the supernatural. Soderbergh, who also served as the cinematographer, used skewed angles and unconventional camera shots to capture the eerie atmosphere inside the Payne family’s home. This experimental approach resonated with critics and film enthusiasts at Sundance, sparking discussions about the effectiveness of such a narrative.
During a post-screening discussion, Soderbergh explained the rationale behind his unconventional approach. He had been vocal in the past about his doubts regarding the use of first-person virtual reality in storytelling, arguing that it can never truly work due to the absence of a reverse angle to showcase the protagonist’s emotions. By shooting the film solely from the ghost’s perspective, Soderbergh aimed to circumvent this limitation and create a truly immersive experience for the viewers.
Soderbergh collaborated with long-time friend and screenwriter David Koepp on the project. Their close relationship dates back to the late 1980s when both filmmakers had films at Sundance. Koepp penned a screenplay that adhered to Soderbergh’s vision of focusing solely on the ghost’s point-of-view, with the added challenge of the story taking place within a confined space.
Despite the film’s success at Sundance, Soderbergh remained characteristically humble. He acknowledged his passion for editing and its transformative power in shaping the final product. The director emphasized the need for focus and discipline in the editing process, as the possibilities are endless. However, he also emphasized the importance of receiving early feedback from trusted peers, following Pixar’s philosophy of embracing failure and iterating quickly.
As the discussion drew to a close, Soderbergh jokingly asked to “call ‘end'” on the conversation, reminding everyone of his role as an editor.
The Sundance premiere of “Presence” marked a departure from the norm, with the entire cast engrossed in their own performances on the screen. Soderbergh’s innovative approach to storytelling and his collaboration with Koepp received praise and sparked conversations about the use of unconventional perspectives in film. As the film makes its way to audiences, “Presence” is poised to leave a lasting impression as an immersive and chilling cinematic experience.