While American audiences will have to have an HBO subscription to see Steven Soderbergh’s anticipated Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra, audiences in Europe will get to see it in theaters. The director and his leading stars, Matt Damon and Michael Douglas, spoke about the film and gay marriage during a press conference at the Cannes film Festival on Tuesday.
According to The Telegraph, Soderbergh said that in 50 years, people will wonder “why it had taken so long” to legalize gay marriage and why there was even a debate about it.
“When this issue comes up, of equal rights for gays, I think - I'm hoping - in 50 years from now we’re going to look back and wonder why this is even a debate and why has it taken so long,” the Oscar winner said. “We're getting there. It's all moving in the right direction.”
Behind the Candelabra focuses on Liberace’s relationship with Scott Thorson while he tried to make it seem like he was heterosexual in public. Douglas plays Liberace, while Damon plays Thorston.
Douglas thanked Soderbergh, Damon and producer Jerry Weintraub for casting him in the film, since it was right after his 2010 cancer diagnosis. “This beautiful gift was handed to me. I am eternally grateful to Steven and Matt and Jerry for a great film,” he said.
USA Today reports that Damon had a little fun with the press, warning them about his butt, which is going to be huge on the big screen.
“We'll see it on the biggest screen ever. It will be jarring,” Damon said. “This is not something you can un-see. So you're all welcome to look. But you cannot un-ring that bell. It will be seared into your memory.”
“When Matt told me the story about his Brazilian spray tan, I felt the world really needed to see this. So I was looking for opportunities. And we found them,” Soderbergh said. “Give the people what they want and they will show up.”
Behind the Candelabra airs on HBO this Sunday at 9 p.m.