By Anthony Frajman
What type of person does it take, to give up a promising acting career, and follow around a mad genius like Stanley Kubrick – and work for him for three decades?
On the brink of a successful acting career, in the mid 1970s, Leon Vitali quit acting in order to become the right-hand man to perhaps the most influential and controversial filmmaker of his time, Stanley Kubrick.
Vitali would go on to work with Kubrick as his assistant on all manner of things, from coordinating film prints to feeding his pets, until the filmmaker’s death in 1999 as he completed his final film, Eyes Wide Shut.
We spoke to Tony Zierra, who spent hours with Vitali, and many others who knew Kubrick best, for his new documentary Filmworker.
Did you have any personal experiences/stories with Kubrick?
I believe my whole journey with Filmworker and my next documentary about Kubrick continues to be a personal experience. I’m lucky because you learn so much and you’re able to convey your discoveries and share them with the audience who love Kubrick’s films and his creative mind.
In your personal opinion, what made Vitali make the choice to give up his career?
Kubrick’s creative magnetism. Leon is addicted to creativity and Kubrick was a great source. Leon couldn’t resist walking away and immersing himself in Kubrick’s world even if it meant not acting or giving up living a comfortable celebrity life.
How important was Vitali to Kubrick, and to the films?
Leon believes that Kubrick would’ve found someone else if he wasn’t there. But I think Kubrick knew Leon’s value and utilised it to make his films better. It’s great to have someone with sensibility on your side. Kubrick knew Leon was an artist and he utilised that in so many ways. My producer, Elizabeth Yoffe, makes my work better. It’s a beautiful feeling when you find someone with such a gift and an ability to create and take the journey with you.
What was the thing that kept the relationship going through so many demands and so much stress and endless labour?
Admiration. Leon admired Kubrick and his films. As he said in Filmworker, “People would say to Stanley I’d give my right arm to work for you…” But Leon learned that in order to be on Kubrick’s side you had to do a lot more than just show up or make promises. As [veteran publicist] Julian Senior said in the film “Stanley made you care.”
Is it almost like one of Kubrick’s films, this relationship between the two men?
Sure. Kubrick was always fascinated with people’s choices in life and their actions. To leave something like fame and fortune behind and become an assistant is a personal choice that one has to make, and Leon made that choice. But it’s also more about the journey and not the destination. And Leon is proud of the fact that he had a rich journey that was filled with creativity.
Why do you think Kubrick’s films still resonate so strongly today?
Because he was unique and his films were interesting. There’s only one Kubrick and his films continue to intrigue the audience and baffle many. Almost all directors aspire to be like him. I don’t think we’ll have another Kubrick. We already had the real one.
Are you familiar with the other Kubrick documentary Room 237, and do you have thoughts about it?
Kubrick always wanted the audience to have their own thoughts. Room 237 is about what people see in his films whether it’s absurd or not, so it’s still the audience’s opinion.
Why does Kubrick’s name have such a strong reputation?
When you go see a Kubrick film you know there’s a lot more on the screen than you can absorb. So, you go back, and you revisit them over and over and his films never let you down. It was all about the details. And the details are the things that fascinated us and inspired us to make Filmworker, because the details require so much work – and people like Leon are essential to get the job done.
Do you think curiosity can go too far?
Of course. But it’s also important to be curious in one’s life and to find ways to fulfil our desires. Without curiosity, a life can stagnate.
Were they both obsessed?
Absolutely. Kubrick loved making movies. It is an obsession. I can’t live without it. So, you always find ways to stay connected to any source of inspiration.
Do you think Vitali needed Kubrick?
Yes. As Leon said in the film – he was searching, and Kubrick made him understand who he is.
Is it in some ways a shame to you that Vitali didn’t go on to act more?
I think Leon did more interesting things than acting. It’s all creativity. Leon was able to take his passion further than if he had just remained as an actor.
Filmworker screens at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival on July 6, 2018
