The Melbourne Documentary Film Festival 2018 / New Zealand International Film Festival 2018 - Filmworker
The remarkable, untold story of Leon Vitali who gave up fame and fortune to serve for decades as Stanley Kubrick’s right-hand man.
Interview with Producer Elizabeth Yoffe
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
We had decided to make a film about Stanley Kubrick’s life and creative process and how it culminated with his final film, Eyes Wide Shut. We met Leon Vitali while filming that project, titled SK13. We knew that Leon had been wonderful as an actor in Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon, and decided to leave acting and work behind-the-scenes in Kubrick’s inner circle. When my partner, Tony Zierra, the director of Filmworker and SK13, brought back the four hours of footage he’d shot while interviewing Leon Vitali for SK13, I was fascinated. Tony and I both became intrigued by Leon’s story and we eventually made the very tough decision to put SK13 on hold and make a documentary about Leon. We’re completely independent with limited resources so starting a whole new project was a big risk, but it was the right decision to make.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Leon’s story is a compelling, moving, heartfelt portrayal of devotion to creativity and the sacrifices we makes to pursue our passion. It is a unique story because Leon was already a successful young actor who got his big break by being cast in a Kubrick film, but he turned his back on worldly success to give himself over to helping Kubrick realize his magnificent vision. If you love Kubrick or cinema, this is a must-see. We have had stunning feedback from audience members who weren’t really Kubrick fans or cinephiles. They were so touched by Leon’s journey and his unique character.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The personal journey of Leon Vitali is highly unusual, extreme in many ways, and a great portrait of what happens when you follow creativity like a beacon. It also highlights the incredible importance of all those people who work without recognition to help create beautiful, timeless works of art. The great masters or famous performers get to bask in praise and accolades but there are so many unsung people who are necessary to bring that vision into manifestation. Leon is a perfect representative of those who toil in obscurity but are ultimately satisfied with their life choices.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The way Tony Zierra makes documentaries is an organic process. It isn’t scripted. He has a spark, an idea of where the story will go, but he gathers all the information and gives every bit of time needed to really let the film take shape. He’ll shoot, then log, then shape, then shape again, and always invites my input. As a producer, I feel it’s my role to understand what Tony is going for, what he wants to convey, and try to give feedback – when asked – that will help him achieve his goals.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback we received is better than anything we could have hoped for. The film has been embraced by festivals all over the world, audiences love it, it has received amazing reviews, and the theatrical release in the U.S. and U.K. have been fantastic . We ended up playing in many, many more cities and venues than we expected. We’re very grateful.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The fact that the feedback has been so very positive and universal was surprising. We completely believed in the film and knew that the story would touch people but you can never be sure how a project will be received. It’s amazing. We always knew that this film wasn’t just going to be for Kubrickians or cinephiles. We felt we had a wonderful character study and deeply human story so it’s really those who were convinced that the film was a “niche” film who have had their expectations challenged, not us.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We want as many people as possible around the world to watch this labor of love. We’re excited to share it with interested audiences who appreciate great stories.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We’ve had great coverage around the world and have been to numerous festivals. Right now we are open to working with distributors in territories where the film hasn’t yet been sold. That includes Australia & New Zealand.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Actually, we couldn’t ask for anything better than the impact and reception the film is already getting.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Would you give up fame and fortune to pursue a personal calling even if it meant you would not be rewarded in a worldly sense?
Would you like to add anything else?
I want to say a word about Tony Zierra, the filmmaker I work with. He is a true artisan. He is so committed to his work and to doing whatever it takes to get his films done. We never could have made this film if Tony didn’t have the drive, dedication and creative ability to make a project like this - but he also has the hands-on knowledge and skill to do almost all the post-production and technical aspects of filmmaking. I’ve learned so much about myself and about creative passion working with him.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We’re finally ready to return to the Kubrick documentary, SK13. So, that’s in the works. Everything we learned about Kubrick by making Filmworker will just serve to enhance the story of the master himself.
Interview: July 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Filmworker
The remarkable, untold story of Leon Vitali who gave up fame and fortune to serve for decades as Stanley Kubrick’s right-hand man.
Length: 93 min
Director: Tony Zierra
Producer: Elizabeth Yoffe, Tony Zierra
Key cast: Leon Vitali, Ryan O’Neal, Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Danny Lloyd, Stellan Skarsgard, Marie Richardson
Looking for: distributors for unsold territories including Oceania
Twitter: @Filmworker_SK13
Funders: Private Equity
Made in association with: True Studio Media
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Melbourne Documentary Film Festival, New Zealand International Film Festival