The Girlfriend Experience (Steven Soderbergh, 2009)

[Antoine Doinel]

This should have its own thread, now the the film is wrapping. MTV talked to Soderbergh about the film, and sorry guys, Sasha Grey won't be doing any unsimulated sex acts in the film. But he did say her background helped with the film's sexual scenes.

[carax09]

I had to read this twice to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.

[Mr Sausage]

I had to read this twice to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.

It has been reported she "shocked" her fellow performer by requesting to be punched in the stomach during fellatio

I'm guessing most guys would be pretty reticent to do something that might cause someone to inadvertently clench their jaws in the middle of fellatio, major porn star or not.

[chaddoli]

A very interesting interview with Grey from VBS.TV (NSFW)

I can see why Soderbergh chose her.

[kaujot]

Anyone else have trouble getting the video to start?

[TedW]

Though Sasha has many appealing/interesting qualities, there was that little matter of her forced sabbatical from shooting porn due to an apparently significant case of anal warts. However, she is a fan of Criterion DVDs, and so might be lurking here at this very moment. You take the good with the bad, I suppose.

[Dylan]

A friend of mine actually knows "Sasha Grey," and honestly I've heard nothing but good things about her (a great deal of her life isn't even touched upon on wiki, but what's there seems to capture the gist well enough). In a parallel universe she'd probably be a writer. Maybe she'll turn to that, eventually (at the very least writing an autobiography). This is an interesting project and I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

[The Fanciful Norwegian]

A "work-in-progress" version screened at Sundance yesterday (and was apparently one of the worst-kept secrets of the festival); Jeffrey Wells' is the only writeup I've seen so far. He says Glenn Kenny has a semi-large role and has "the funniest lines in the film." And Soderbergh says the visuals are influenced by Red Desert, which is, uh, surprising.

[Murdoch]

[...] And Soderbergh says the visuals are influenced by Red Desert, which is, uh, surprising.

Well this just jumped to the top of my radar.

[Jeff]

A "work-in-progress" version screened at Sundance yesterday (and was apparently one of the worst-kept secrets of the festival); Jeffrey Wells' is the only writeup I've seen so far. He says Glenn Kenny has a semi-large role and has "the funniest lines in the film."

Heh. Sody had denied Well's queries about such a screening taking place the day before. Lou Lumenick has a little blurb on the film, and Glenn Kenny comments on his new-found celebrity.

Even for an improvised quickie, it's amazing that this is in a screenable state three months after shooting began.

[Antoine Doinel]

Even for an improvised quickie, it's amazing that this is in a screenable state three months after shooting began.

Along with Woody Allen and Clint Eastwood, Soderbergh is one of the fastest shooting directors today. I still can't believe he shot Che in a mere thirty four days.

[Antoine Doinel]

The film will be released on May 22nd via Magnolia.

[franco]

Easily my most anticipated film of 2009. I bet I will be disappointed.

[Antoine Doinel]

Soderbergh talks to the Village Voice about the film.

[bearcuborg]

Easily my most anticipated film of 2009. I bet I will be disappointed.

Fortunately Sasha works enough to make up for possible disappointment.

[Antoine Doinel]

Here's the awesome poster.

[flyonthewall2983]

Best. Tagline. Ever.

[kaujot]

Amazing poster.

[mfunk9786]

Whoa, one of the best posters I've ever seen. I can't wait for this movie!

[domino harvey]

Best. Tagline. Ever.

I was skeptical before clicking, but it's definitely up there

[John Cope]

I heart Soderbergh but that poster doesn't blow me away. It just looks like slick ad copy (and yeah, I get that to a degree it's supposed to).

Can someone shed some light on its allegedly staggering attributes? If it's the tagline you guys are easy lays.

[AWA]

Great design, absolutely fascinating. One of the better film posters I've seen in some time. Who designed it?

[Cde.]

I heart Soderbergh but that poster doesn't blow me away. It just looks like slick ad copy (and yeah, I get that to a degree it's supposed to).

Can someone shed some light on its allegedly staggering attributes? If it's the tagline you guys are easy lays.

Yeah, I'm not seeing it.

[kaujot]

I really dig the mesh of circles (I know there's some technical term for this, but I can't think of it) hiding Sasha Grey's face from being clearly viewed, but you can tell that it's a gorgeous photo. It keeps you at a length.

And the tag line, well, that is the best part. Does **** stand for love? Or fuck? Well, it's up to you. I just find that fascinating, and a great design choice that will keep the poster in a person's mind.

Edit: Incidentally, is this one of those comes-out-on-DVD-the-same-day-as-theatrical-release, or was that deal over with after Bubble?

[Murdoch]

Incidentally, is this one of those comes-out-on-DVD-the-same-day-as-theatrical-release, or was that deal over with after Bubble?

According to the Guardian it will be.

The Girlfriend Experience is the second in Soderbergh's six-picture deal with billionaire entrepreneurs Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner. Each will be shot on high-definition video and released simultaneously in cinemas, on DVD and television.