March 27, 2004

Citizen Kubrick

Stanley Kubrick's films were landmark events - majestic, memorable and richly researched. But, as the years went by, the time between films grew longer and longer, and less and less was seen of the director. What on earth was he doing? Two years after his death, Jon Ronson was invited to the Kubrick estate and let loose among the fabled archive. He was looking for a solution to the mystery - this is what he found.

posted by marx 20 years ago
  • Can you imagine a Kubrick film about Napoleon? It gives me chills thinking about it.
  • "I was just talking to Tony about typefaces," I say to Jan. "Ah yes," says Jan. "Stanley loved typefaces." Jan pauses. "I tell you what else he loved." "What?" I ask. "Stationery," says Jan. Cue dramatic music. Seriously, a Kubrick film of this article would be excellent. Great find.
  • See, this is why I fear greatness. I'm just that anal-retentive. I start projects and get lost in the research. Excellent read.
  • Whan an amazing article. I wish he would have made a movie about Napoleon - it would have been simply awesome. It's amazing to think that someone puts all that research into a project - I really don't think most directors put that much effort into their work anymore. It's sad really.
  • This is an excellent article. This solves one mystery for me - the one about why Kubrick, a native of the Bronx, chose the St Albans countryside, of all places, for his home. I realise now that it didn't matter. It could have been anywhere. It is as if the whole world is to be found somewhere within this estate. Kubrick's house as the Library of Babel. (The Guardian has excelled itself today, with both this piece and an article about Chinese migrant workers in Britain)
  • thank you! stanley is my fav & this is a fascinating view behind the scenes...
  • Another excellent Guardian article on Kubrick, from 2001, and a response to it from Kubrick's assistant.
  • I really enjoyed this. Thanks, Marx. /Kubrick fan, Napol
  • Great stuff. Such an image: the black monolith... and a sea of cardboard boxes at its' feet. Here's a bountiful vault of info: the Archivio Kubrick. Videos, photos, interviews, analisys, posters; mostly in italian but there's an english version.
  • Great article. Great artist. Great. Great. Great. Kubrick is indeed a fascinating character. Even moreso after getting a glimpse into his life. Wow.
  • Great reading! Thanks so much for posting this, Marx.
  • Terrific link. Fascinating insight into the man, and I wish I had more. If you haven't seen Stanley Kubrick: A Life In Pictures do check it out. It periodically airs on cable and every time I've seen it I've been absolutely riveted. There's a moment in which one of his daughters talks about the detailed instructions he once left her for taking care of his cats. Regardless of whatever speculation that attempts to explain his genius as psychological anomaly, he used it to achieve amazing things. I have some friends who complain sometimes about Kubrick's films, particularly about the pace. 2001, for instance, can be maddening to someone who can't appreciate the languid pace and moments of long silences. I think he knew how to use empty space and quiet moments better than any other director. Also, I now understand why I have such an affinity for the Futura family.
  • The access the writer got was amazing, but I was still faintly disappointed by the article somehow. It reminded me of that Newton quote about a great ocean of truth lying undiscovered beside him while he picked through the pebbles on the shore. Love Kubrick though.