'' Behind the Candelabra '' is a 2013 American biographical drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh . It dramatizes the last ten years in the life of pianist Liberace and the relationship he had with Scott Thorson . It is based on Thorson 's memoir , '' Behind the Candelabra : My Life with Liberace '' ( 1988 ) . Richard LaGravenese wrote the screenplay . Jerry Weintraub was the executive producer . It premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival on May 21 , 2013 and competed for the Palme d'Or . It aired on HBO on May 26 , 2013 and was given a cinematic release in the United Kingdom on June 7 , 2013 . The film received critical acclaim from television critics including praise for the performances of Michael Douglas and Matt Damon
2013 Cannes Film Festival
2013 Cannes Film Festival
Behind the Candelabra