Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day” Invokes Nostalgia and Curiosity

NEW YORK (AP) — If you’re someone who grew up on Spielberg films, the opening of “Disclosure Day” is bound to stir up some strong feelings of nostalgia. The weather forecast hints at hail while the camera shifts from the screen to a kitchen table. A cheerful sound plays as cereal cascades into a bowl.

“That was Flute Loop,” Spielberg chuckles, recalling his favorite soundtrack.

Much like his earlier classics, Spielberg’s new film explores the question of what might come from above. Released by Universal Pictures on June 11, “Disclosure Day” pushes the renowned filmmaker to engage with a lingering curiosity: Are we truly alone in the universe?

Almost fifty years following “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” the new film serves as a grand farewell to one of cinema’s most visionary storytellers, whose fascination with extraterrestrial life has resonated throughout his works. Spielberg sees “Disclosure Day” as a more grounded response to the questions posed in his 1977 film, emphasizing its reality compared to the earlier “speculative” nature of his past work.

In a recent chat, Spielberg mentioned, “This is the first movie that I consider science fiction, even though I don’t consider it science fiction. It reflects our evolving world and the discoveries we’re making right now.”

At 79, Spielberg is revisiting the alien themes that have occupied his imagination for decades, from “E.T.” to “War of the Worlds.” “Disclosure Day,” marking his first summer release in a decade, has already been celebrated as one of his finest in years. This time, however, he’s eager to weave in elements of faith alongside his usual sense of wonder.

“I’ve believed in extraterrestrial life since making ‘Close Encounters’ 50 years ago,” Spielberg notes. “But I always say this: Until I see a UAP or a UFO myself, I won’t definitively claim that life from there visited us. But I’m reconsidering that stance due to overwhelming circumstantial evidence.”

Alien Encounters in a New Light

“Disclosure Day” features Josh O’Connor as a cybersecurity whistleblower who uncovers government secrets and documents chronicling alien encounters. He is mentored by the leader of the disclosure movement, played by Coleman Domingo, while escaping efforts by a corporate executive, portrayed by Colin Firth, determined to keep the truth hidden. In parallel, meteorologist Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt) experiences an unsettling revelation.

When Spielberg first conceptualized the film, he reached out to his frequent collaborator and screenwriter, David Koepp, known for writing “Jurassic Park” and “War of the Worlds.”

“I was puzzled when he first mentioned it,” Koepp recalled. “Then he added, ‘Oh, it’s the alien again. But this time it’s different.’

Spielberg had just returned from a notably long break for his work routine. His previous film, “The Fabelmans,” drew from his own childhood, portraying his parents’ challenging divorce and his beginnings as a director. After that deeply personal project, Spielberg found himself uncertain about what to tackle next.

“It was the hardest question I’ve ever posed to myself, as it resolved many personal matters I’d never shared before,” he explained. “It didn’t bother me if people thought ‘The Fabelmans’ was just a narrative or entirely true. I did it for my own sake, calling it a $40 million therapy session, courtesy of Universal,” he laughed.

With an ongoing interest in UFO sightings, Spielberg found inspiration in a 2023 congressional hearing on UAPs, which featured former Air Force intelligence officer David Grusch. Grusch claimed the government had concealed a program investigating unidentified aircraft.

The Pentagon denied the allegations, but in April, then-President Donald Trump hinted at the release of intriguing UFO-related files.

Such testimonies fueled Spielberg’s interest so much that he drafted a 50-page outline for “Disclosure Day,” sharing countless notes with Koepp during the writing process.

“He was sending texts at a pace I’d never seen before, rereading the script daily for nearly a year,” Koepp noted. “We’re in different time zones, so I’d wake up to find 30 or 35 messages waiting! When someone leads a project with that kind of passion, it naturally draws everyone in.”

A Film Focusing on Empathy

Spielberg sees his body of work as divided into two phases: the director behind “Jaws,” “E.T.,” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and the filmmaker who shifted towards more serious themes post-1985, exploring darker narratives in films like “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan.”

“Disclosure Day” serves as a bridge between these two eras. It combines thrilling elements with a thoughtful reflection on recent history and reality. Its core message resonates deeply—focusing on empathy amid encounters with the unknown.

“I believe every film should emphasize empathy, especially in times when it seems scarce,” Spielberg remarked. “It’s within us, yet sometimes we struggle to express it, particularly when it clashes with our social circles or beliefs. But it’s there.”

Upon its release, “Disclosure Day” enters a unique cinematic landscape, standing among the few original studio blockbusters this summer from the creators of “Jaws.” Spielberg isn’t overly concerned with issues like franchise dominance, AI, or streaming platforms impacting the future of cinema.

“The audience reassures me about our cinematic journey,” Spielberg stated. “Though current ticket sales haven’t matched pre-pandemic highs, they are strong compared to recent years. This encourages me to believe people still desire to experience films together in darkened rooms, sharing stories, and it motivates me to keep making movies.”

As Spielberg approaches his 80th birthday this December, he reflects differently than others of his generation, like Martin Scorsese, who often wonders about the remainder of their careers.

“I never think about how many more I have left,” he admitted. “I simply hope that inspiration strikes again, just as it did for ‘Disclosure Day,’ ‘The Fabelmans,’ and ‘West Side Story.’

There’s already new inspiration bubbling up. Spielberg expresses a desire for his next project to be a Western. It’s a genre he loves dearly, yet has yet to fully explore in his career.

“I often feel that parts of the ‘Raiders’ adventures resemble Westerns,” he remarked. “Every time Harrison was on horseback, I’ve had a yearning to direct a complete, authentic Western.”

Margaret Fairchild from “Disclosure Day” echoes sentiments of another one of Spielberg’s characters, Roy Neary from “Close Encounters.” Both are compelled by enigmatic forces beyond their control, reflecting the kind of characters Spielberg finds himself drawn to—a hallmark of his career. “Disclosure Day” marks his 35th feature film.

“I empathize with characters willing to face the bizarre and fight for their survival, eager to uncover the unknown,” Spielberg concluded.