Skurzynski, Gloria.Are We Alone? Scientists Search for
Life in Space. Washington, D.C.: National Geo-
graphic, 2004.
Paul P. Sipiera
See also Astronomy;Cosmos;E.T.: The Extra-Terres-
trial; Science and technology; Science-fiction films;
Space exploration;Star Trek: The Next Generation.
sex, lies, and videotape
Identification American film
Director Steven Soderbergh (1963- )
Date Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival
January 20, 1989; general release August 18,
1989
Along with the films of Jim Jarmusch, Spike Lee,
and Gus Van Sant, Soderbergh’ssex, lies, and
videotapeheralded the birth of what came to
be called American independent cinema. Soder-
bergh went on to enjoy a career bridging the
mainstream/independent divide, directing both
low-budget and studio films with great success.
The acclaim heaped uponsex, lies, and vid-
eotape, a low-budget film by an unknown di-
rector and without major stars, at the 1989
Sundance Film Festival is often credited
with launching the independent film move-
ment that would become more prominent
in the 1990’s. To raise the money to make
his feature-film debut, Steven Soderbergh
madeWinston(1987), a twelve-minute short
intended to be shown to potential inves-
tors. When it was completed,sex, lies, and
videotapeproved that American film could
examine the mores of the time with subtle
humor and understated insight and with-
out the obviousness, didacticism, or senti-
mentality often seen in mainstream films.
Filmed in Soderbergh’s hometown, Ba-
ton Rouge, Louisiana,sex, lies, and videotape
depicts the unhappy marriage of the frigid
Ann (Andie MacDowell) and the smarmy
lawyer John (Peter Gallagher), who is hav-
ing an affair with Ann’s bartender sister,
Cynthia (Laura San Giacomo). The arrival
of John’s former college friend, Graham
(James Spader), sets in motion changes in the other
characters’ relationships. The primary catalyst for
these changes is Graham’s collection of videotapes,
each recording an interview he has made with a
woman about her sexual experiences. John is typical
of the 1980’s achievers who care only for their work.
Both he and Cynthia, a would-be artist, use each
other without any emotional commitment. Ann feels
a general sense of malaise, as captured in her ses-
sions with her psychiatrist (Ron Vawter). Graham,
who seems to have no direction in life, resorts to his
taped interviews because of sexual impotence. In
many senses,sex, lies, and videotapeoffers a younger
perspective on the issues addressed in Lawrence
Kasdan’sThe Big Chill(1983).
Soderbergh was clearly influenced by the films of
Woody Allen and perhaps even more by foreign
films, especially those from France, that were moreThe Eighties in America sex, lies, and videotape 867
Director Steven Soderbergh holds the Palme d’Or he was awarded forsex,
lies, and videotapeat the 1989 Cannes Film Festival, as actress Jane Fonda
looks on.(AP/Wide World Photos)