A producer’s unwavering belief: Stacey Sher on ‘Poolman’ and the future of cinema

Embracing the vision: Chris Pine’s ‘Poolman’

Veteran producer Stacey Sher stands firm in her support for Chris Pine’s directorial debut, ‘Poolman’, despite its critical reception. “It’s a gorgeous film. Chris made the movie he set out to make. He believed in it, and I believed in Chris. I still do. He’s a really gifted filmmaker,” Sher asserts.

Following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, ‘Poolman’ faced harsh reviews, with some critics labeling it one of the worst films of the year. However, Sher remains steadfast in her belief that supporting a director’s vision is paramount. “Yes – if you believe in that person. Quentin Tarantino once told me, ‘The reviews of your movies aren’t written the weekend they come out. They are written 10, 20, 30 years after they come out. It’s all about how they endure.'”

Reflecting on a storied career

Speaking at the Locarno Film Festival before receiving the Raimondo Rezzonico Award, Sher reflected on her illustrious career, which includes producing iconic films like ‘Pulp Fiction’, ‘Django Unchained’, ‘Erin Brockovich’, and ‘Garden State’. “Trust is really important. Shared values, shared sensibility, shared aesthetic. You already know what’s important to these people,” she says, highlighting her collaborations with directors like Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, and Miloš Forman.

Sher fondly recalls the making of ‘Man on the Moon’, starring Jim Carrey. “That movie was the most magical experience of my life. I didn’t have nearly as much empathy as I should have had for Miloš until I saw the documentary [‘Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond’].”

The challenges of filmmaking

Despite her success, Sher acknowledges the difficulties of getting films made. “It was hard to make movies like these back then, too. If Julia Roberts didn’t say yes to ‘Erin Brockovich’, if Jim Carrey didn’t say yes to ‘Man on the Moon’, they wouldn’t get made,” she notes.

Sher also addresses the perception of her films not being “independent” enough. “Some filmmakers are interested in reaching a broader audience and some aren’t, and that’s O.K. Personally, I haven’t been driven to make films I don’t believe large numbers of people are going to see. Growing up watching 1970s films, I saw that you can do both. You can make an artistic, transformative film that’s also entertaining.”

Seeking inspiration beyond borders

Sher believes that U.S. filmmakers might need to look abroad for inspiration. “‘The Worst Person in the World’ is one of my favorite films of the last 10 years. Staggering work of originality and heart. Or look at British television. Subsidies – to use a sports metaphor – create farm teams, where people get trained. Cinema is this holy American industry and yet we don’t have it set up in that ‘research-development’ way.”

She emphasizes the importance of finding new voices in the industry. “The system is still all about finding new voices, and that’s what keeps us going. Oz Perkins has done great work in television and now has a huge hit movie for Neon. A24 has become a brand that really means something. There is always renewal. I am forever hopeful.”

Exciting projects on the horizon

Sher is enthusiastic about the future of cinema, particularly with upcoming projects like A24’s psychological horror ‘Heretic’ starring Hugh Grant. “He is staggeringly good in the film and a delight to work with,” she says.

Another project that excites her is Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut ‘Blink Twice’. “I am always looking for passion, for a new way of looking at the world. Show me something I haven’t seen before! ‘Blink Twice’ is such a bold, ballsy, and well-done directorial debut. She really knows where to put the camera. It’s terrific.”

Sher concludes with a hopeful outlook on the future of cinema. “I’ve always said: ‘How exciting is it going to be when all the kids who grew up on ‘Peak TV’ are going to demand more from their movies?’ And they are.”

Final thoughts

Stacey Sher’s unwavering belief in the vision of filmmakers like Chris Pine and her dedication to finding new voices in the industry highlight her enduring passion for cinema. As she continues to champion innovative projects and support emerging talent, Sher remains a beacon of hope and inspiration in the ever-evolving world of film.