Steven Soderbergh's diaries

Kirthana Ramisetti on how Steven Soderbergh's unusual diaries changed her relationship to pop culture.

Are there any directors who are as prolific and varied in their careers as Steven Soderbergh? Many of his movies are modern-day classics—Ocean’s Eleven and Out of Sight, Erin Brockovich and Magic Mike. That same kind of eclecticism can be found in his television work too, with the Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra and his recent miniseries, Full Circle.

But even though Soderbergh has worked steadily in both TV and film for over two decades, I’m actually most appreciative of a low-key project he releases every January: a diary of everything he has watched and read during the previous year.

Since 2009, Soderbergh has recorded a compendium of what he has consumed over twelve months, and he began sharing them online in 2013. And it is a fascinating read, as it reveals that Soderbergh is a voracious consumer. From esoteric indies to reality television to bestselling novels, the director diligently keeps track of what he reads or watches each day.

Soderbergh’s diaries made me think about my own complicated relationship to pop culture. My passion for pop culture began as a teenager, when I made it a point to read the Los Angeles Times entertainment section every morning. What began as a need to read something quick and fun before school soon developed into a genuine interest in music, movies and TV. I memorized the names of my favorite critics and reporters and followed their recommendations.

But this eventually evolved into the equivalent of emotional eating: any time I experienced loneliness or self-doubt, I quelled the pain with data. I was a devourer of content, filling the empty spaces within myself with behind-the-scenes trivia, Top 10 lists and career retrospectives. As an aspiring writer, I particularly loved learning the stories behind the creative work of what I watched, listened to and read. However, that love of pop culture always ran parallel to the guilt and shame I felt for enjoying “fluff.”

To be an unabashed fan means understanding that people will not consider you to be very deep—especially as an Indian-American woman pursuing a career in entertainment journalism. Not only was I opting for an unstable career, it was on an “unserious” topic. Thinking back to my younger self, I can now see how guarded I became, not discussing anything I enjoyed for fear of having my interests dismissed. Even when I began freelancing and working in newsrooms, I retained a shyness in sharing my personal tastes. My enjoyment of pop culture was largely a quiet conversation with myself.

NARRATIVE SUMMER

VIRGO SEASON ♍