DAY EIGHT: Gregory Monro via Zoom on ‘Kubrick by Kubrick’ at 56th Chicago International Film Fest

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CHICAGO – The mercurial genius of filmmaker Stanley Kubrick is a cinephile’s dream, and his films continue to influence. A new documentary, “Kubrick by Kubrick,” directed by Gregory Monro, uses Kubrick’s actual words from past interviews. The film is available to download during the virtual and online 56th Chicago International Film Festival through October 25th.

Stanley Kubrick remains one of the most audacious and misunderstood directors in film history, mostly because of his perceived reclusiveness. Through an amazing cache of interview tapes from film scholar Michel Ciment, Kubrick himself goes over his career, and illuminates many of the thought processes and filmmaker methods that have thrilled and challenged audiences for three generations. Director Monro has created a visual symphony to go along with Kubrick’s own words, in a remarkable 75 minute package. (click here).

The 56th Chicago International Film Festival Celebrates DAY EIGHT of the movie extravaganza, with films available for 2020 virtually and online. Click here for a complete how-to guide on navigating the 2020 CIFF.

’Kubrick by Kubrick,’ Directed by Gregory Monro
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival

Gregory Monro is a French filmmaker, writer and actor, with a tilt toward American movie culture. His profile documentaries have taken on the subjects of Calamity Jane, Jerry Lewis, Robert Mitchum, Jimmy Stewart, countrymen Michel Legrand and Toulouse-Lautrec and of course, Stanley Kubrick.

In Part One of an interview via Zoom with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, director Gregory Monro reflects on the cultural influences of Stanley Kubrick.

In Part Two, Monro talks about the spirit of Kubrick, and his connection to it.

APPEARANCES OF THE DAY: 11:00am: “Coffee Talk: ‘Spellbinding: Documenting Faith and Power” … Livestream panel discussion with three directors associated with the topic. 2:00pm: “’The Prophet and the Space Aliens” … Livestream Q&A with director Yoav Shamir. Suggested streaming start time, 12:15pm. 4:00pm: “Becoming Mona” … Livestream Q&A with directors Sabine Lubbe Bakker and Niels van Koevorden. Suggested streaming start time, 2:05pm. 7:00pm: An Evening with Rachel Brosnahan … Star of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” talks about her new film “I’m Your Woman.” 9:00pm: “40 Years a Prisoner” … Livestream Q&A with directors Tommy Oliver. Suggested Streaming Start Time, 7:05pm.



FILM OF THE DAY: “For Madmen Only” – This feature documentary is the Chicago-centric story of Del Close. Beginning with his childhood in Kansas (and the legends therein), through his initial work as a performer in New York City and Chicago, to his status as an iconic instructor in Chicago-style improv at both The Second City and Improv Olympics (iO). His first generation of students included John Belushi, Bill Murray and Gilda Radner, the second had Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Chris Farley, and subsequently it has been the continued instruction of his techniques that are taught in the city and elsewhere. Oh yes, and he was functionally insane. This is illustrated by director Heather Ross with visual panache. (click here).

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor and Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com [email protected]