Steven Spielberg's new film, 'Disclosure Day,' returns to one of his most enduring themes: the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The movie, set for release on June 11 by Universal Pictures, serves as a grand bookend to his 1977 classic 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind.' However, Spielberg insists this is not science fiction but a reflection of real-world developments.
A Personal Journey
Spielberg, now 79, describes 'Disclosure Day' as his first film that he does not consider science fiction. 'It’s much more reflective of the world as it is evolving and discoveries that are being made as we speak,' he says. The film stars Josh O'Connor as a cybersecurity whistleblower, Colin Firth as a corporate executive, Colman Domingo as a disclosure movement leader, and Emily Blunt as a meteorologist experiencing a mysterious epiphany.
The idea for the movie came after Spielberg watched the 2023 House Subcommittee on National Security hearing on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs). Former Air Force intelligence officer David Grusch testified that the government concealed a program investigating UAPs. This, combined with President Donald Trump's announcement that the Pentagon would release 'very interesting' UFO files, fueled Spielberg's inspiration.
From 'The Fabelmans' to 'Disclosure Day'
Spielberg's previous film, 'The Fabelmans,' was a deeply personal autobiographical story about his childhood. That project left him wondering what to do next. 'It was the hardest question I ever had to ask myself,' he recalls. But the UFO hearings provided a new direction. He wrote a 50-page treatment and collaborated with screenwriter David Koepp, exchanging extensive notes. Koepp notes, 'When the leader of the project has that level of commitment, it tends to bring along everyone.'
Empathy at the Core
While 'Disclosure Day' is a thrilling chase movie, its central message is about empathy. Blunt's character gains clarity by looking people in the eye. Spielberg believes empathy is crucial in filmmaking. 'I think every movie should have a great emphasis on empathy because empathy sometimes feels like it’s in short supply,' he says.
The film arrives in a movie landscape dominated by franchises and streaming, but Spielberg remains optimistic. 'The audience gives me faith in the movies,' he says. 'Even though the numbers are still not pre-COVID level, it’s more robust than it has been for many years. The audience gives me belief that people still want to congregate in a dark space in the company of strangers to share an experience of a film.'
Looking Ahead
Spielberg, who will turn 80 in December, does not dwell on how many films he has left. Instead, he hopes to be inspired by projects like 'Disclosure Day.' His next ambition is to direct a Western, a genre he has long admired. 'I always feel like parts of the 'Raiders' adventure movies are like Westerns,' he says.
'Disclosure Day' marks Spielberg's 35th feature film. He identifies with characters who embrace the unknown. 'I identify with characters who aren’t afraid of mysterious things happening to them and who are fighting for their survival by trying to discover what they don’t know,' he concludes.
