Spielberg Struts the Red Carpet With His New Family Tale
On Sunday, Nov. 6, iconic director Steven Spielberg sauntered the Los Angeles red carpet, flanked by the ensemble behind his new semi‑autobiographical feature, The Fabelmans. The event was the perfect preview of a film that dives into the boyhood of a fictional cousin, Sammy Fabelman, who’s basically a younger Spielberg discovering both his love of cinema and some gritty family drama that turns him on the head.
Who’s Who
- John Kushner – co‑writer and producer of the movie
- Gabriel LaBelle – takes on Sammy
- Michelle Williams – stars as Sammy’s mom, Mitzi
- Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Oakes Fegley – you’ve guessed it, the rest of the crew
Behind the Scenes with Kushner
Interviewed by Reuters, Kushner shared how Spielberg kept the story grounded: “Steven was always there to say, ‘My mother wouldn’t have done that,’ and when he did, he won. He’s the director, so he wins, and it’s all Steven.” He explained that Spielberg’s personal life demanded authenticity. “I didn’t want to push him into doing anything that would feel false about his family, because that’s essential to him.”
Beyond the Family
Even with Spielberg’s personal touch, the script was crafted to resonate with families everywhere. “Not being part of Spielberg’s family lets me use my writer tools to make the film true to his own life and also to many other families.” Kushner added, giving the film a universal feel.
What Oakes Says
The high‑school bully, Chad Thomas (played by Oakes Fegley), is genuinely thrilled: “What makes this film truly special for Spielberg and for everyone watching is that it’s the first time he’s built a story from his own life. It pulls parts of his personality into the filmmaking process and the story itself.”
Mitzi’s Perspective
Michelle Williams, who portrays Mitzi, described how the character lovingly sees each child as an individual: “Mitzi notices something unique and remarkable about Sammy. Even if it might bring the family some embarrassment or show how different they are, she welcomes and encourages it.”
Release Date
Get ready to see The Fabelmans hit US theaters on November 11, soon after its Toronto International Film Festival premiere in September.
With a blend of personal storytelling, humor, and heartfelt emotion, Spielberg’s latest endeavor promises to keep audiences both in tears and in chuckles—just as he’s done for decades.
