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Filmworker

Play trailer 2:26 Poster for Filmworker 2018 1h 34m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 89 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
The story of Leon Vitali, who surrendered his promising acting career to become Stanley Kubrick's devoted right-hand man.
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Filmworker

Filmworker

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Critics Consensus

Filmworker offers long-overdue recognition to one of Stanley Kubrick's key collaborators while opening an often troubling window into the director's demanding work.

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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader 03/05/2020
There's plenty of production detail for Kubrick nuts, though the two competing narratives (Kubrick the genius, Kubrick the tyrant) won't surprise anyone. Go to Full Review
Robert Daniels 812filmreviews 08/27/2018
3/4
If there is a cult around Kubrick, Vitali was the first card carrying member. Go to Full Review
Richard Whittaker Austin Chronicle 07/12/2018
3/5
That's where the greatest qualms may come in this stylish and sometimes overly reverential portrait: It's as if Vitali never really existed without the director. Go to Full Review
Matthew Rozsa Democracy at Work (Substack) 3d
4/4
As clearly established in "Filmworker," the 2017 documentary about Vitali’s life, the onetime British movie/TV star sunk into obscurity when he gave up acting to become right-hand man to one of the greatest film directors of all time, Stanley Kubrick. Go to Full Review
Julian Singleton Cinapse Jul 12
There’s an endless fascination at the core of Vitali, one that compliments his powerful zen-like ethos of satisfaction in the journey of the creative process rather than any of its end results. Go to Full Review
Bianca Garner Filmotomy 10/11/2024
If you're a Kubrick fan then you must see this film, but even if you're not a fan of Kubrick's work then it is still a rewarding experience... Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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isla s 09/03/2022 I found this a very insightful watch - I certainly respect the man, now im aware of all the work he's done for Kubrick and it seems a real shame he wasn't better known. It made me see Kubrick's films from a different angle - seeing things how Leon saw them. I find it interesting from the technical side of film making to the personal history side of things between Leon Vitali and Stanley Kubrick. It certainly makes it clear how much Vitali respected Kurbrick and his work before he had an opportunity to be noticed by him. However, I felt there was a slightly unnecessary cheesiness present towards the end, which was a shame. Still, I would happily recommend this documentary overall. See more 01/22/2021 Filmworker is a wonderful documentary about one man's dedication to a man and to art. Few have done nor would ever do what Leon Vitali has and all with a sad devotion while remaining ever so humble. One day I hope Leon is universally recognized not only for being an essential part in all of Kubrick's films since Barry Lyndon, but also as someone who none of those films would have ever been completed without. See more phillip w 05/15/2020 Leon Vitale comes across as such a humble person. A brilliant actor who became something else. His is an interesting story. See more 11/09/2019 A deeply touching monument of an obsessively dedicated man who became the victim of his own unresolved past. I wept like a little child. See more david f 09/22/2019 A very interesting documentary about an assistant who spent his career working for Stanley Kubrick. There are some interesting behind-the-scenes observations but it does seem like a lot of the work he did was drudgery which, while it aided in the production of cinematic masterpieces, isn't that interesting to hear re-told. See more 06/17/2019 Any Kubrick fan will already know Leon Vitali's name. He started his association as a good-looking young actor playing Ryan O'Neal's stepson in Barry Lyndon, but then became Kubrick's gofer and factotum up to and after Kubrick's death. This fascinating documentary, stuffed with clips and interviews, shows the very real cost of subsuming oneself on the altar of art or the service of 'genius'. Vitali is a shell of who he was, and the psychology of his sacrifice is what this excellent documentary is ultimately about. See more Read all reviews
Filmworker

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Movie Info

Synopsis The story of Leon Vitali, who surrendered his promising acting career to become Stanley Kubrick's devoted right-hand man.
Director
Tony Zierra
Producer
Elizabeth Yoffe, Tony Zierra
Distributor
Kino Lorber
Production Co
True Studio Media
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 11, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 14, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$102.6K
Runtime
1h 34m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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