Stanley
Kubrick
(1928 - 1999)
Stanley Kubrick (July 26, 1928 – March 7, 1999) was an American film director and producer. He is widely considered to have been one of the most innovative, talented, and influential filmmakers in cinematic history. Kubrick's films, most of which were adapted from literary sources, are characterized by a strong emphasis on technical perfection, often involving innovative or specially invented technology, unusual and economical storytelling, and a sardonic wit. His trademarks include emotionally charged close-ups (often of a character staring in a sinister fashion), long reverse tracking shots, extensive use of zoom lenses, and the original and often ironic use of classical music.
Early life
Kubrick was born on July 26, 1928 in the Bronx, New York City, United States, the first child of Jacques Kubrick and his wife Gertrude (born as Perveler). His sister, Barbara, was born in 1934. Jacques, whose parents had been Jewish immigrants of Austro-Romanian and Polish origin, was a successful doctor. Kubrick was taught to play chess at the age of twelve by his father, and the game would remain a lifelong obsession.
At thirteen Jacques Kubrick bought his son a Graflex camera, triggering Kubrick's fascination with still photography. At this time, he also became interested in jazz, and attempted a brief career as a drummer.
Kubrick attended William Howard Taft High School from 1941 to 1945. (Chanteuse Eydie Gorme was a schoolmate.) He was a poor student with a meager grade average of 67. When he graduated from high school in 1945, colleges were flooded with soldiers returning from service in the Second World War, and Kubrick's poor grades eliminated his hopes of getting into a post-secondary school. Later in life, Kubrick would speak of his education and of education in general with disdain, and maintained that nothing in school interested him.
Still Photographer
While still in high school, Kubrick was chosen to be the official school photographer for a year, and eventually sought job opportunities on his own. By the time of his graduation Kubrick had already sold a series of pictures to New York's Look. To supplement his income, Kubrick began playing "chess for quarters" in Washington Square Park and various Manhattan chess clubs. Kubrick also registered for night courses at the City College, to improve his grade average. Kubrick worked as freelancer for Look and was hired as an apprentice photographer in 1946. He later became a full-time member of the staff.
During his years at Look Kubrick married Toba Metz and they moved to Greenwich Village. It was also during this time that Kubrick began frequenting film screenings at the Museum of Modern Art and at cinemas all over New York City. He was particularly inspired by the complex and fluid camera movements of Max Ophüls, whose films influenced Kubrick's later visual style.
Films:
The Killing (1956)
Paths of Glory (1957)
Spartacus (1960)
Lolita (1962)
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Barry Lyndon (1975)
The Shining (1980)
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
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