Steven Soderbergh on AI, Authorship, and the Future of Cinema
Steven Soderbergh discusses his new film 'The Christophers' (2025), starring Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel, which explores originality and ethics in art. He defends his use of AI for a John Lennon documentary, arguing it was necessary due to budget constraints. Soderbergh sees little difference between AI learning models and human creativity, and advocates for engaging with the technology. He also reflects on the decline of mid-budget adult films, the changing role of criticism, and his long-standing resistance to the auteur brand, having once considered making a film under a pseudonym. The interview was conducted by ArtReview.
Key facts
- Soderbergh's new film 'The Christophers' (2025) stars Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel.
- The film concerns originality and ethics in painting.
- Soderbergh used AI to create dreamlike imagery for a John Lennon documentary.
- He stated: 'I don't see much difference between what these learning models are doing and what I’m doing.'
- He argued AI use was necessary because without it he couldn't finish the Lennon documentary.
- Soderbergh once considered making a film under a pseudonym to test audience response.
- He believes mid-budget adult films are struggling as audiences under 25 are the only growing demographic.
- The interview was published by ArtReview.
- Soderbergh's debut 'sex, lies, and videotape' won the Palme d'Or in 1989.
- He shot 'Unsane' (2018) entirely on an iPhone.
Entities
Artists
- Steven Soderbergh
- Wim Wenders
- John Lennon
- Yoko Ono
- Ian McKellen
- Michaela Coel
- Ed Solomon
- Orson Welles
- Pauline Kael
- John Schlesinger
- Jules Feiffer
- Mike Nichols
Institutions
- ArtReview
- Directors Guild
- Miramax Films
- Neon
- United Artists
- Embassy Pictures
Locations
- Cannes Film Festival
- Cannes
- France
- United States