SECRETARY: How Maggie Gyllenhaal's Debut Shocked Sundance

Hollywood Gold

Director Steven Shainberg recalls the making of 2002's SECRETARY, a daring film that centers around a BDSM relationship between a lawyer and his new secretary. Inspired by the great filmmakers Jane Campion and Mike Lee, Steven decided to turn his short film into a feature, but knew it would be a challenge to get it made. Many of the executives and financiers who read the script were scared to take on such risky material, but Steven was persistent and secured independent financing. They went out to nearly every young female star of the day, but everyone passed. And then Maggie Gyllenhaal auditioned and he knew she was the one. As Steven explains on the podcast, the film is about so much more than the taboo relationship between boss and employee. It's about two people finding freedom and happiness in each other and honoring their true selves.

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