A biographical documentary about the career of Leon Vitali, who abandoned his acting career and became a production assistant to filmmaker Stanley Kubrick.
After Kubrick's death, Vitali's efforts got overlooked. Thankfully, Filmworker is an assured tribute to an unsung hero who made invaluable contributions to the work of a genius director.
By revealing the darker side of Kubrick, we’re given an original take on his legacy.
Filmworker is an absorbing, important portrait of both a genius at work and the man behind the scenes who made the magic possible, whatever the cost to himself.
[Leon Vitali] didn’t become rich or famous but his rapture at being for so long in Kubrick’s orbit is evident in every frame of this film. Thanks to the documentary, his contribution is bound now to be acknowledged.
Vitali is now in his late 60s and is a fascinating character whose tales of working with the perfectionist film-maker will have film buffs hooked.
Fascinating.
Ultimately, Filmworker is a love song to the film-making industry and a tribute to the many Leon Vitali-types in the business – the behind-the-scenes workers whose passion, dedication and self-sacrifice all too often go under-celebrated or unrecognised.
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow from Friday May 18, 2018, until Thursday May 24, 2018. More info: http://www.glasgowfilm.org/theatre/
Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Friday June 8, 2018, until Monday June 11, 2018. More info: www.filmhousecinema.com