On Monday, September 4th, the biopic “Priscilla” premiered at the Venice Film Festival and was followed by a seven-minute standing ovation from the audience. The applause went to the young stars of the production Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi, as well as the director Sofia Coppola. Above all, however, the namesake of the film Priscilla Presley, who also personally took part in the celebrations. During the continued applause, Presley and other cast members reportedly fought back tears.
The biopic is based on the book “Elvis and Me” which Priscilla Presley co-wrote with author Sandra Harmon in 1985. Unlike Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” which came out just a year ago, “Priscilla” isn’t about the career of the king of rock ‘n’ roll. The film follows the relationship between the just 14-year-old girl and the aspiring musician from Priscilla’s perspective.
At the press conference on the day of the premiere, Presley opened up about her relationship with the King at the time. “Elvis poured his heart out to me. His hopes, his fears, the loss of his mother – and I was the person who really listened to him and comforted him. That really was our connection. Although I was 14 years old, I was older than years in life,” reflects the actress. “And that was the attraction. People think, ‘Oh, it was sex, that’s it.’ But no. I never had sex with him. He was very kind, very gentle, very loving. But he also respected the fact that I was only 14 years old,” she describes the focus of their relationship. It would never be about physicality, the connection to Elvis would have been shaped primarily by their feelings and thoughts.
Despite everything, Priscilla also describes her heavy emotions while watching the biopic. “It’s very difficult to watch a film about you, your life and your love. But Sofia did a great job. She did her homework and I really gave her everything I could,” Elvis Presley’s wife said in praise of the film’s director.
Priscilla will be released in US theaters on October 27th. The film will be shown in selected cinemas in Germany from December 26, 2023 as a 35MM preview. From January 4, 2024, “Priscilla” will start in cinemas nationwide.