Filmworker

Filmworker is a fascinating 2017 documentary that delves into the behind-the-scenes world of filmmaking. Its unique premise offers a detailed look at the unsung heroes in film production while also underscoring the impact of mentorship and dedication to an artform.

The documentary centers around Leon Vitali, a once-budding British actor who sacrificed his promising career in front of the camera to take on the role that would become his life's work: being the right-hand man to one of cinema’s great auteurs, Stanley Kubrick. Leon met Stanley Kubrick on the sets of the movie "Barry Lyndon," where he was an actor. After that, he devoted his life to understanding and implementing Kubrick's vision in various of his films up until Kubrick's death in 1999. Leon becomes something of a filmworker himself, a term he uses to describe his multifaceted role in the making of Kubrick's films.

Ryan O'Neal, who starred alongside Leon Vitali in "Barry Lyndon," also features in this documentary, providing his insights about Leon’s work ethic, dedication and how he was essentially Kubrick's right arm, fulfilling an assortment of roles from casting director, coach, editor, and sound engineer, among others. They share memories from the sets of their films, the relationship they had with Kubrick, trading stories and anecdotes that highlight the meticulous nature of Kubrick's work and Leon's unyielding commitment to realizing it. There are candid recollections from various other actors, including the likes of Danny Lloyd, Matthew Modine, and R. Lee Ermey, whom Victor helped cast and train in "The Shining" and "Full Metal Jacket," respectively.

Brian Capron, known for his work on British television, narrates the documentary, guiding the audience through Leon Vitali's career trajectory and the ins and outs of his collaboration with Stanley Kubrick. The film offers a generous selection of archive footage, interspersed with these interviews, documents, photographs, and clips from Kubrick’s movies, serving as reminders of the sheer breadth of work that Leon was involved in.

Filmworker is the brainchild of Tony Zierra, a director known for his close-up examinations of specific figures or professionals in the film industry. Zierra crafts a compelling narrative that not only spotlights the critical role of individuals like Leon in filmmaking but also the system and methods of Stanley Kubrick, known for his perfectionism and unconventional filmmaking tactics. It underscores the tireless dedication, self-sacrifice, and passion that goes into bringing a director’s vision to life.

From meticulous color correction to assisting in the sound design and intensive coaching of actors, there was almost no role outside the purview of Leon Vitali's dedication. This documentary makes it evident that Leon's labyrinthine roles within the filmmaking process constitute an immense contribution to the world of cinema, for which he, sadly, remains vastly uncredited. Filmworker offers viewers an examination of the combative nature of creative passion, the strength of the mentor-protégé relationship, and the inner mechanisms of collaborative artistry in cinema.

Filmworker's primary allure lies in its articulation of Leon Vitali's poignant journey. It tells a story of a man who willingly stepped away from his acting career's spotlight to toil tirelessly behind the scenes, driven by his passion for cinema and his devotion to Stanley Kubrick’s artistry. Despite countless challenges and years of hard work often met with little recognition, Vitali's commitment remains unwavering.

This documentary is equal parts a tribute to Leon Vitali's unflagging dedication, an intriguing look into the world of one of cinema's most acclaimed directors, and a poignant reflection on the art of filmmaking itself. Filmworker emerges as an essential viewing for movie buffs keen on the orgiastic idiosyncrasies of Kubrick's filmmaking process, the unsung heroes behind the camera, or anyone inspired by stories of indomitable passion.