Stanley Kubrick's daughter Katharina Kubrick, and grandson Joe. AMA

Did Stanley ever share his opinion on Alfred Hitchcock's work?

Katharina: I believe he liked his movies.

Do you have any interpretation of the ending 2001: A Space Odyssey?

Katharina: One of the reasons Stanley famously didn't explain the film was that everyone who saw it would then think there was only one way to experience it. My personal opinion is that who you are is how you perceive it, so religious people will see it completely differently from atheists.

On a side note, if anyone ever gets the chance to see 2001 screened with a live orchestra you should go. The opening had me in near tears, it was very very powerful.

What were Stanley's favorite movies? (Aside from his own)

He loved films. He admired the work of Bergman, Tarkovsky, Bunuel, Spike Lee, Speilberg, the list is long and varied.

I love the idea of Stanley Kubrick watching Do the Right Thing or She's Gotta Have It.

He liked White Men Can't Jump. It was on TV and I asked him if I should watch it, and he said, 'yeah that's a good movie, you'll enjoy it'.

Katharina: He really liked Spike Lee's work.

Katharina, I don't know how old you are, so I'm not sure if this is relevant or not. But what was your father like during filming as opposed in between films? Did he seem more stressed, or did he ever complain about so and so not being able to nail a take? Or was he pretty much always the same at home?

Also, any cool stories of you being on set with him or anything like that?

Katharina: I'm nearly 59. Between films he did a lot of reading, caught up with viewing the videos of American football games that his sister used to send him. He was always working on improving print qualities, hiring directors to shoot the voice overs for films that had to be dubbed and checking on how his films were doing in other parts of the world. He never stopped tending his babies even once they were out in the world.

He watched football???? Did he enjoy the sport? Did he have a favorite team?

He was from the Bronx. He loved American football, but also liked Soccer.

Thank you for doing this AMA. As a followup to the previous question, I'm curious as well if you have any stories about going to the sets? I read online, he had the sets of 2001: A Space Odyssey destroyed after filming because he didn't want them to be re-used in other movies, but was that something he normally did?

Katharina: All sets of movies are destroyed after the making of a film...because they need the stage space! Sometimes, if there's a really good set on the back lot like a street that can be used over and over, then they don't knock them down.

What was your father like as a person? How was his world view reflected in his work, and with A.I, how did Spielberg's end product deviate from his original vision? Also, which one of his features resonated most personally with him?

Katharina: He was a over protective Daddy who didn't let me go out with boys till I was 16. I think his world view was reflected in his work. I think Stanley's A.I. would have been a darker vision and one of the reasons he wanted Speilberg to direct it is that he was aware of that. He always wanted to have more bums on seats.

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Joe: I have an early memory of sitting in the living room as a family around Christmas time. 2001 was on the TV and I remember being exceedingly bored. At a guess I'd say I was around 7 or 8. I didn't really start to appreciate the films until I was in my late teens.

Beyond the well known unmade films (Napoleon, Aryan Papers, ect.) were there any unfinished projects that you would've liked to see realized by your grandfather? Thanks for doing this!

Joe: My father is currently trying to get 'Lunatic at Large' into production, one of Stanley's scripts, and also 'God Fearing Man'.

Thanks very much for doing this.

Have you heard of the conspiracy theory that your father / grandfather was involved in faking the Moon Landings?

Undoubtedly complete bullshit. But would love to know what you think?

Katharina: An audacious and outrageous piece of BS as you say. They took my mothers and uncle's answers to other questions out of context.

What are your thoughts on A Clockwork Orange, regarding the controversy surrounding it?

Katharina: Clockwork Orange was a very powerful, disturbing and stylish movie. It caused a lot of controversy because the British press were responding to Mary Whitehouse's and Lord Longford's blanket condemnation of the film, and the press blaming every bit of violence on the film.

What is your favourite film of your Grandfather's?

Joe: Spartacus and 2001.

I thought I read somewhere that Kubrick had a lot of issues with Kirk Douglas and the screenwriter for Spartacus and distanced himself from the film.

According to what I've read, Kirk Douglas had previously worked with him on Paths of Glory (fantastic movie btw) and hired him for Spartacus because he was young and he thought he'd be easy to control. I think he may have been wrong on that point.

Katharina: Agreed.

What are your favorite memories of Stanley? What was he like around the house?

Katharina: He was just a Dad who liked making tuna sandwiches and watching sport on TV. He was always working, and we learned a lot being around him.

Your father was known as a perfectionist in how he made his films. I was wondering if he had the same attitude in his home life?

For instance I have this image of him needing the table set absolutely perfectly and all the paintings on the wall to be symmetrical and adhere to the same theme and quirky things like that.

Katharina: Nothing could be further from the truth (lol). He was very relaxed at home and usually surrounded by all our dogs and cats.

Did either of you ever feel any sort of pressure to live up to your [grand]father's legacy?

Joe: No

Katharina: Stanley and Christiane are a hard act to follow. Following my own dream.

What is your most favorite film of your father/grandfather?

I enjoyed Lolita and Full Metal Jacket. I have nothing more to say except that this man was a genius. Thanks for doing this AMA!

Joe: Spartacus and 2001.

Katharina: Can't really say which is my favorite as each one represents a part of my life as I was growing up. My opinions of the films have changed as I have matured. I particularly like Eyes Wide Shut because I know how much in meant to him and how proud he was of it.

Do you or any other Kubricks have interest in making movies? Any uncredited cameos by Kubricks (other than Vivian) in Kubrick movies that we don't know about?

Katharina: I was one of the daughters in Barry Lyndon as was Vivian. I was an extra on Clockwork Orange. I was the mother of the son in Eyes Wide Shut (he was my son). Vivian was a guest at the ball at the end of the Shining.

Wasn't Vivian also the little girl in 2001 who talked to her Daddy (the astronaut in space) over the video chat telephone thing (basically, via the Skype of 2001)?

Yes

Clockwork Orange is my favorite picture by your father. Where in A Clockwork Orange did you appear? Were you one of the scientists in the theatre?

Katharina: I was 16. I was an extra in the distance in the record store where he picks up the two girls. Don't blink.

http://imgur.com/N89sx ?

No it's when he's walking down the hall from the front of the shop.

So are you the one who walks passed McDowell carrying a handbag? Or the one in the white dress? There are so many extras in that scene...

If you insist, I'm the slightly pudgy girl with long brown hair wearing a hideous knitted trouser suit. For what it's worth, that scene was shot at the Chelsea drug store on the Kings Road, which is now Mc Donalds, if only they knew...

Katharina: I worked in the film industry for ten years in the art department. I was an extra in Barry Lyndon, Clockwork Orange, and my son and I were in Eyes Wide Shut.

Katharina: any art pieces we've probably seen in the movies but not known were produced by you?

All Kubricks: being extras, are there any interesting stories or bits of trivia that you are privy to that most people (even Stanley) may not have heard about?

Katharina: My mother's paintings and my paintings decorated the Harford's apartment in EWS.

Did you guys receive any backlash from the "Singin' in the Rain" scene in Clockwork Orange?

Katharina: It upset as many people as enjoyed it.

Hi Katharina and Joe, thanks for doing this AMA!

We've all heard stories about Stanley's obsessive method. I've always wondered if his legendary intensity was merely a professional technique, or if it was part of his larger personality. Katharina, did you work much with Stanley apart from Barry Lyndon? What was it like?

Joe, how old are you? Did you spend much time with your grandfather? How has his spectre influenced your life?

Joe: I'm 26. I saw him on the weekends we came to visit, and on family occasions. I do remember playing a game of chess with him, possibly more than once as I had taken an interest in the game. He has influenced my life to a certain degree, but I've tried to not let it influence how I am as a person or how I approach work. Being his grandson is never something I would bring up, but it's not something I would deny if asked about it either.

Do you work/study in a creative field?

Joe: Yes I just graduated as an environment artist for video games and am currently seeking employment at a studio.

Any favorite video games?

Joe: Lots. I play everything bar sports and racing games. Personal favorites are Final Fantasy 7, I love a good point and click like Broken Sword. Recently I've enjoyed Uncharted 3.

What type of still cameras did your father/ grandfather use ?

Katharina: There wasn't a camera he didn't try. He was very fond of his Leica, and his Nikon's.

Did any parts of your father's films particularly offend or disgust you?

Katharina: No, but the lady coming out the bath in the Shining I didn't actually see for first ten viewings...

Bathtub scene http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ6hgh8kd0A

Joe: I'm not clicking that because I want to sleep some time this week.

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Katharina: Firstly, Stanley had a massive heart attack at home during the night and was found by my mother. We were told it was instantaneous. As to Vivian, we don't know whether she was or wasn't a scientologist during the making of EWS. Certainly TC had nothing to do with it. I don't think their relationship had anything to do with the underlying themes of EWS, which is a story that Stanley had been interested in doing for 30 years.

Any relatives named Hal?

No relatives, but we did have a dog named Hal :)

did you ever ask the dog to open the pod bay doors

and then it just looks at you like "i'm afraid i can't do that"

Lol!

People say Kubrick was an extreme perfectionist when shooting movies, sometimes shooting the same scene more than a hundred times. Is this true? If so, was he as much a control freak when out of set?

Katharina: Usually a scene was shot many times because either he was letting the actors improvise and improve their performances, or they didn't know their lines...

Stanley Kubrick was notorious for exploring a lot of different movie genres while giving them a personal touch of his own. Was there a specific genre that he wanted to have a go at, but never did?

Katharina: I asked him if he would do a children's movie, and he said 'sure find me a good story'.

Was Stanley ever upset about not winning an Academy Award for direction?

Katharina: I think he was a bit miffed but who wouldn't be, but he won many other prestigious awards that he would send to his mum.

To Katharina: From your personal experience did your father have a particular outlook on life?

Also, I read on your website you left the film industry in 1984. Did you ever think about going back into it or perhaps following in your father's footsteps?

To Joe: Did you ever see your grandfather talk about the films he had made?

Katharina: I think he thought man was ultimately lead by his emotions which is why he was so fascinated by Napoleons story. I left the industry because I got married and had babies, and wanted to be a good mum. I had a few sessions working for Stanley on Eyes Wide Shut. I do miss working in the industry, but I am enjoying making Jewelry and Painting.

Joe: I was quite young so if he did, they are not the memories that stand out to me.

What were some of his favorite books?

Katharina: I think he read pretty much everything judging by the size of the library. Each new film would mean that he would read extensively doing research for the subject matter.

Did your sister ever get that bushbaby?

She got two dogs.

Thanks for doing the AMA! I just wanted to say that I went to see Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition in Amsterdam a while ago and it was amazing! Your father/grandfather is a huge inspiration. Was the family involved in the making of the exhibition? Or was it just the museum guys?

Katharina: The archivist from the Frankfurt film museum lived with us for 8 months going through all the boxes. So if our total cooperation means we were involved in the making of it, then yes. Each museums curator and the building that it's in lends it a new look each time it's exhibited.

Do you think he would have liked Spilberg's version of Artificial Intelligence? How much of that was his ideas/vision?

Katharina: It was a lighter version than Stanley might have made.

Katharina: For his movie Eyes Wide Shut, were there any odd or strange events or happenings in your daily life during the production?

Joe: What has your life been like, being the grandson of Mr. Kubrick? Do people recognize you? Do you have any interest in filmography? And what's your favorite beer? ;)

Katharina: Like what?

Joe: Interesting. No people don't recognize me, would you? I worked for a year at a VFX company in London, not really for me. I prefer the video game industry. I'm a fan of Leffe and Corona.

Holy crap, I cannot believe this. How close were you to your grandfather? Did either of you ever visit the sets of any of his movies? Do you think that the unmade scripts of his have the potential to be made into good movies directed by other people?

Joe: Well he passed away when was 13. He encouraged my learning of chess, and we did play a few games. I did visit a set of Eyes Wide Shut. Mum visited and worked on a lot. I think the unmade scripts have great potential and fingers crossed we will see them soon as my father is trying to get them made!

Have you ever watched the final scene from 2001 ("Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite") synced up with Pink Floyd's Echoes? It's pretty uncanny how well they match up. Is there any truth to the rumor that your dad approached The Floyd to possibly do some of the sound scapes for this film and they declined due to schedule conflicts?

Thanks for doing this AMA!!!

Katharina: I was aware that Stanley listened to anything and everything that might be useful in his movie. It is entirely within the realms of possibility that he considered Pink Floyd at some point.

Do you know if there is any truth behind R. Lee Ermey's claims that Kubrick told him it was a "piece of shit"?

It seems possibly slanderous to me for him to say that, but I'm not sure what his motivation would be for lying. For the record, I think the movie is a masterpiece and the most underrated of his career.

Katharina: Don't believe that for a second.

Thank you both for doing this AMA. Your father/grandfather was a talented filmmaker and a great inspiration to myself. Given your family's heavy background in the arts (your father/grandfather being who he was and your mother/grandmother being an actress, singer, painter, dancer, etc), do you see yourself becoming involved in any field of the arts?

Katharina: Yes I am a painter and a jeweler. You can see my paintings on www.kubrickart.com

Joe: Yes I am an environment artist for video games.

Wow. I am ecstatic that you've answered my question!

Katharina: I love your style. The stark contrast of bright colors against the apples and pears in your still life gallery is particularly impressive, though my favorites would have to be "Crystal Ball" and "Maria's Vase".

Joe: That's awesome! Are you able to share which games that you've worked on? I'll also take the gamble and ask another question here. What do you think your father/grandfather would think of video games today, as they have matured as a medium for storytelling and art?

EDIT: My grammar fell apart at the end there.

Joe: I just graduated so I'm currently seeking employment at a studio. My work is here: www.JLHGameArt.com. I've spoken to Grandmother about this a few times. She thinks he would be fascinated by it all and would be very encouraging. Every time I show her my work her reactions are always 'Stanley would have loved it'

Hey Katharina, hey Joe! Huge fan of your fathers/grandfathers movies, here. So...uhm... how was he like, in person? I know that seems like a pretty dull question, but i´d love to get an answer, since i´ve been always asking myself, whether he was like in private, e.g. a bit of an eccentric or something like that.

Also, it´s great that you do this AMA!

He was a very affectionate Dad, who could solve all your problems, and when he died our protective umbrella was gone.

What was your father's relation to music? In many of his films he desired a traditional composer's work (2001: A Space Odyssey, the synthesized rewriting in A Clockwork Orange, and Barry Lyndon). He rejected the original score in 2001 and wanted traditional orchestration in The Shining. Why is this? Did he have any favorite composers?

Katharina: I can't give you reasons why he did or didn't choose certain recordings of composers. But didn't he do well.

Another question about The Shining:

If you know, what's with the photo of Jack at the end? Was it Stanley's intention to show that he had become a part of the hotel after his death, or was Jack reincarnated?

Katharina: He was always there.

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Katharina: I once gave him a book, can't remember the title, about all the weird and wonderful conspiracy theories out there. He was once convinced that a Chinese restaurant that we used to go to was a cover for some dastardly espionage activities! He thought the M'aitre D, was far too intelligent a man to be running a restaurant. We laughed and teased him as we chewed our egg rolls.

Your father/grandfather was obviously a very talented man. What are some talents he passed on to you?

Katharina: Not so much talents but a work ethic. Always try your best. Never assume anything. Try to enjoy what you do.

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He was very proud of it and thought it was his best film.

Do you know why Stanley harassed Shelley Duvall so much? Was that just how he was or was he really trying to improve her performance by making her so stressed out?

Katharina: Stanley was very calm on set, and normally he would pull an actor away from the set and talk to them privately. In this instance it was late, they were running out of time, there was a miss-communication and tempers were frayed. Everyone has turned it into a 'Stanley beats up on his actors' story. I'm not saying it wasn't a hard shoot, but that's film making for you.

Was Eyes Wide Shut complete when Stanley passed away? Did he take part in the censoring of the orgy scene, with the digital people?

Katharina: Yes he was. The censoring was done after his death as he had an agreement with Warner Brothers to produce an R rated movie. I am sure that he would have re-edited the offending scene to remove the 'thrusting' etc that was so offensive.

Was Stanley Kubrick ever openly critical of filmmakers he DIDN'T particularly like?

Yes but I'm not going to tell you.

Do you have any memories of Peter Sellers? Or really any behind the scene memories from Dr. Strangelove you would like to share?

Katharina: I remember Peter being a really funny guy when he came around to the house, and Stanley frequently just hopelessly laughing at Peters antics. I went to school with Peters son Michael who sadly passed away a few years ago. I was very little when Stanley was making Dr. Strangelove, but I did visit the set and remember having to wear felt overshoes to be allowed to walk into the War Room. Also Peter Bull who was the Russian ambassador gave the best tea parties for children I have ever been to.

How was he on set? Did he turn into a different person? I heard that he almost drove Shelley Duvall crazy, is this true?

EDIT: Structure of the question

Katharina: He was very concentrated as you can imagine with so many people to organize and concentrate on his movie, he needed to be. Shelley had a very difficult role as she had to be hysterical and be crying nearly every day. There isn't a film that's ever been made where there aren't tensions and disagreements but on the whole Stanley was very calm on set.

Do you feel Stanley was close to a fine cut on Eyes Wide Shut?

Katharina: It WAS finished, apart from the music, and editing a version for the American market. Obviously digital figures covering the naughty bits weren't on the agenda, and he would most probably have cut to reverse shots of Tom's reaction to get the rating for the American market.

Did Stanley Kubrick subscribe to any magazines or periodicals?

Oh everything. We were drowning in newspapers, magazines of every persuasion. He was a voracious reader and I will divulge that was a subscriber to 'Cat World'.

The man was a god.

Joe: I laughed so hard when mum told me that, realizing what I was about to tell Reddit.

1st Question: Have you read/viewed (he also made a documentary) Jon Ronson's pieces on your father in the Guardian? Most notably, the piece in his book "Lost at Sea". If so, how do you feel about him rummaging through your father's boxes? Where did "Kubrick's Boxes" end up?

2nd Question: Is Vivian Kubrick's separation from the family for Scientology overblown or reality?

Katharina: I've seen Jon Ronson's documentary. I have not read Lost at Sea. Most of what was in the boxes is now either at the University of the Arts London Stanley Kubrick Archive, or part of the travelling exhibition which is currently at LACMA in LA. As to Vivian, she is pursuing her own life in America, although it is true she did belong to the church of scientology.

Your Grandfather lived in Hertfordshire, I understand. Do you both live near by?

Yeah, in the same house.

Has growing up around an icon ever hindered your own personal growth? What was Stanleys least and greatest film in his own eyes? If I had to guess, it would be Fear and Desire at the bottom and 2001 at the top.

Katharina: Even an icon can be a pain in the arse when he won't let you stay out late. My own personal growth has been helped immeasurably during times of insecurity as to my career path with the stalwart support of my father. He didn't like being recognized and was lucky that he frequently could pass unnoticed to get on with his shopping. Many years ago after 2001 had been released on a Sunday morning, the doorbell rang and dad answered it. Two giggling girls asked if Stanley Kubrick was at home, and he said 'I'm terribly sorry, he's gone out'. I was standing at the top of the stairs laughing.

It's known that Stanley enjoyed watching NFL games and certain American sitcoms that were recorded and sent to him in England but what about popular music? His use of music in film is masterful but what did he enjoy listening to on his own time?

Thanks for the AMA

Katharina: There is an extensive LP collection and CD collection which covers practically every genre of music you can think of. I would say that the music coming from his room would generally be when he was looking for music for his movie.

Love the scene in Paths of Glory with your mother/grandmother Christiane. Do either of you have a favorite scene amongst Stanley's oeuvre of films?

Katharina: Tricky question, there are so many! Obviously the scene with my mother in is wonderful to see, and I have many favorite scenes in Dr. Strangelove and Barry Lyndon and Full Metal Jacket, and I think the confession scene in EWS is extraordinarily powerful.

Joe: I'll get back to you I need to think about it.

What was the relationship between Stanley Kubrick and Anthony Burgess over A Clockwork Orange if there was any?

Katharina: I don't know, sorry.

Wow! I firstly just want to say thank you so much for doing this, your father is my favourite film maker and a genuine idol of mine. I consider him to be one of the most successful (in the creative sense) artists in any medium.

What was it that attracted him to England so much?

How much did his work as a press photographer influence his film making and it what ways?

Do you recommend a book about your father as the one that gives the most insight, also are there any that you have in any way disliked? I can imagine people commenting on someone so close to you could be unwelcome!

What is your favourite move of his? Did he in fact, have one he seemed to be most proud of?

What music did he tend to listen to at home?

I think your mother has been a fantastic guardian of his legacy since his passing, she is thought of extremely fondly in the UK! Are you in any way involved in the decisions about what should, for lack of a better phrase have his 'name on'?

Is Jack Nicholson always that much of a flirt?

Did you ever manage to beat him in a game of chess?

Thank you so much for this! All my love to you and your family :)

Katharina: He came to England to shoot Lolita. Really liked it here, and the freedom from Hollywood. We were all little and at school.

He was an observer of people, and an excellent photographer that could shoot pictures in an interesting way. There are millions of books but the LoBruto book is extensive and the Michel Ciment is excellent.

He was proud of most of his films, but he was very proud of Eyes Wide Shut.

People sent him music all the time, he heard most of it.

Not involved in the 'name on' stuff.

Wouldn't know about Jack Nicholson.

Joe: Chess, are you kidding?

Hey Joe! Did you ever call your grandpa "Grandpa badass" by any chance?

Can't say I did. You made us laugh though.

Do you all consider yourselves British or American? Or maybe a hybrid?

Have either of you been to Los Angeles and used your name to get a better seat in a restaurant?

Any plans from either of you to get into the industry?

Joe: I'm British.

Katharina: I'm German by birth, raised in America and England. What does that make me? Yes I've been to LA recently for the opening of the SK exhibition at LACMA. I would never use my name in that way, that's appalling behavior.

Joe: I love Britain, and was amazed at how your grandfather turned what I think was a decimated area of the East End into Hue for Full Metal Jacket. During the Olympics, I was wondering if the Stadium had been built on the site of the former set -- do you know?

Katharina: appalling indeed, but that's how LA rolls. I didn't know you were born in Deutschland. I need to read up on your family's history.

Both of you many thanks!

Another line of questions: I remember that in the 90's there was a string of Kubrick impostors running around. Your father/GF was notoriously secluded. Did you ever encounter an impostor and how did it work out?

Also was he really that secluded or was this a myth?

Katharina: There was indeed an individual named Alan Conway who thought he was impersonating Stanley. Bryan Cook, Stanley's first assistant even made a film about it called 'Color me Kubrick', starring John Malkovich. Conway was a sleazy creep who didn't even know Stanley's films particularly well. Unfortunately because Stanley's face wasn't well known, this man was able to convince gullible individuals and get endless free meals. I think he was the only that we were aware of.

are you familiar with or fans of the KUBRICK line of toys that are apparently named after Stanley Kubrick? Do the Kubrick company send you any gratis? If not, they should.

The Japanese Kubrick toys have nothing to do with Stanley at all, and no we don't get any money.