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Steven Soderbergh's new romantic, contemporary comedy, "Full Frontal," began production in Los Angeles on November 6, 2001. Formerly titled "How to Survive a Hotel Room Fire," "Full Frontal" is described as a sex comedy, and serves as the unofficial sequel to Soderbergh's 1989 film, "sex, lies & videotape."

"Full Frontal" reunites Soderbergh with Miramax, and with his "Erin Brockovich" and "Ocean's 11" star, Julia Roberts. Joining Roberts in "Full Frontal's" cast are David Duchovny, Nicky Katt, Catherine Keener, Mary McCormack, David Hyde-Pierce, and Blair Underwood. The film is being produced by Scott Kramer and Gregory Jacobs, from a screenplay written by Coleman Hough. Soderbergh has scheduled an abbreviated shoot, hoping to get the entire filming done in just 18 days. Miramax has penciled in March 18, 2002 as the film's opening date.

Miramax co-chairman Harvey Weinstein praised Soderbergh's work, announcing, "It is a great pleasure to be reuniting with Steven, one of the defining directors of our generation. Steven's range of films have consistently entertained audiences while revolutionizing cinema." Soderbergh responded by returning the compliment, "I'm extremely happy to be working with Miramax on "How to Survive a Hotel Room Fire" (retitled "Full Frontal") because Harvey Weinstein and I have been apart too long and the film was always envisioned as the unofficial sequel to 'sex lies & videotape.'"

Soderbergh was among the few directors ever to receive two Academy Award nominations for Best Director in the same year ("Traffic" and "Erin Brockovich"). He is also the only director in history to achieve the "double-double" of having both pictures for which he was nominated as Best Director also be nominated for Best Picture. Many of Soderbergh's previous films such as "Out of Sight" and "King of the Hill" appeared on the critics' year-end top ten lists. Soderbergh is also credited with putting both the Sundance Film Festival and American Independent film on the map with "sex, lies, and videotape."

SOURCE: Miramax Films