Ammar Sabilarrohman
The creative synergy between visionary filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun and their leading stars, Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder, is proving to be one of the most compelling artistic partnerships in contemporary cinema. Following their collaboration on the highly anticipated upcoming feature Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma—a film already garnering buzz for its sharp, psychosexual intensity—the trio is set to reunite for an exclusive, one-night-only theatrical event.
IndieWire can exclusively confirm that Schoenbrun will direct a live script reading of the cult-classic 2002 erotic rom-com Secretary. The event, scheduled for July 28 at the prestigious Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, marks a unique opportunity to witness this acclaimed creative team reinterpret a landmark of early-2000s independent cinema.
The Evolution of a Creative Powerhouse
The anticipation surrounding this live read is fueled largely by the critical reception of Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. Schoenbrun, known for their uncanny ability to explore the intersections of identity, obsession, and the digital age, has crafted a film that critics describe as “delightfully and unexpectedly hot.”
The narrative, which follows a young horror director (Einbinder) and a reclusive, legendary "final girl" (Anderson), serves as a masterclass in tension. As the characters descend into a state of psychosexual mania, the audience is forced to confront the blurry lines between artistic collaboration and personal surrender. Given this thematic foundation, it is perhaps no surprise that Schoenbrun would choose Secretary—a film defined by the complex, often volatile power dynamics of a BDSM-fueled office romance—as their next directorial project for the stage.
A Chronology of the ‘Secretary’ Phenomenon
To understand the significance of this upcoming live read, one must look back at the original cultural footprint of Secretary.
- 2002: The Premiere: Directed by Steven Shainberg and written by Erin Cressida Wilson, Secretary premiered to a mixture of shock and adoration. It starred Maggie Gyllenhaal in a breakout, career-defining performance as Lee Holloway, a vulnerable woman recently released from a mental institution who finds an unconventional sense of belonging as a secretary for E. Edward Grey (James Spader).
- The Critical Pivot: Unlike many films of the early aughts that handled BDSM tropes with judgment or mockery, Secretary was celebrated for its tender, albeit unconventional, portrayal of human connection. It was a film that dared to ask: Can love exist in a space of total submission and command?
- Award Recognition: The film’s screenplay by Erin Cressida Wilson became a gold standard for indie writing, eventually earning Wilson an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay.
- The 2025/2026 Resurgence: Now, over two decades later, the film is being thrust back into the cultural zeitgeist. Under the direction of Schoenbrun, the script is expected to receive a modern interpretive lens, shifting the focus toward the nuances of power, consent, and the performative nature of the "office" environment.
Supporting Data: The Power of the Live Read Series
The event is being presented as part of the esteemed "Live Read" series, a staple of the film community curated by Film Independent in partnership with MUBI—the latter of which serves as the distributor for Schoenbrun’s Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.
Since its inception in 2011, the Live Read series has become a destination for cinephiles. It is a format that strips away the artifice of cinema—the cinematography, the editing, the location shooting—and forces the audience to engage with the raw power of the written word and the intimacy of the actor’s voice.
Past iterations of the series have included legendary performances, such as:
- Heathers (a biting satire of teenage cruelty)
- Conclave (a study of religious power)
- Bringing Up Baby (a classic screwball comedy)
- Jennifer’s Body (a subversion of the horror genre)
- Anatomy of a Fall (a gripping legal and domestic drama)
By including Secretary in this pantheon, Film Independent is signaling that the film has moved past its "cult classic" status to become an essential piece of the American cinematic canon.
Official Responses and Artistic Intent
Rachel Bleemer, the Director of Programming and Events at Film Independent, emphasized the importance of this specific project in a recent statement. "Every Live Read is an opportunity to rediscover a great screenplay through a completely new perspective," Bleemer noted. "‘Secretary’ is a bold, provocative film that continues to spark conversation more than two decades later. With Jane Schoenbrun directing and Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder leading the cast, this promises to be one of our most unforgettable Live Reads yet."
The casting choice is particularly astute. Anderson, an actress known for her ability to inhabit characters of extreme intelligence and complex interiority, will likely bring a layered approach to the role of the secretary. Einbinder, who has proven her mettle in high-stakes comedy and drama, provides the perfect foil. Together, they represent a bridge between the classic independent era and the new, experimental wave of filmmaking currently led by artists like Schoenbrun.
Implications for the Future of Independent Film
The decision to stage this reading at the Wallis Annenberg Center serves as a bridge between the past and the future. As audiences continue to move away from traditional theatrical experiences, the "eventized" screening—the live read, the Q&A, the curated festival experience—has become the new gold standard for film appreciation.
Furthermore, the collaboration speaks to the evolving nature of MUBI’s role in the industry. By supporting both the theatrical release of Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma (hitting theaters August 7) and this high-profile live reading, MUBI is positioning itself as a guardian of both new avant-garde works and the legacies of the independent films that paved the way for them.
The implications for the careers of Schoenbrun, Anderson, and Einbinder are equally significant. By tackling a script as iconic as Secretary, they are essentially putting their creative pedigree on display, proving that they are not merely actors and directors, but curators of the cultural conversation.
Conclusion: A Night of Cinematic Tension
The July 28 event will undoubtedly be a sell-out affair. As the film industry continues to grapple with what it means to be "provocative" in a digital-first world, the return to the core, visceral dynamics of a story like Secretary feels timely.
Whether one is a die-hard fan of the 2002 original or a follower of Schoenbrun’s meteoric rise, the live reading offers a rare chance to see how a text changes when filtered through a new generation of talent. As the countdown to the performance begins, one thing is certain: the conversation surrounding power, desire, and the art of the "secretary" is far from over.
Tickets for the event are expected to be in high demand, and additional casting announcements are slated for the coming weeks. For now, cinephiles are left to wonder how Schoenbrun will direct the tension between Anderson and Einbinder—a partnership that, if the early buzz from their upcoming feature is any indication, will be the most electric stage performance of the year.
Reynand Wu
