Documentary Unveils Richardson's Tempestuous Relationships with A-List Directors
An intimate documentary about legendary cinematographer Robert Richardson, three-time Oscar winner for JFK, The Aviator, and Hugo, has premiered at the Karlovy Vary film festival. The film, directed by Czech film student Jana Hojdová, features interviews with Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Oliver Stone, as well as Richardson's family members. It delves into his nickname "white devil," earned for his long white hair and passionate, commanding demeanor that fueled tempestuous working relationships akin to love affairs with these directors.
Insight into Richardson's Creative Process
The documentary explores Richardson's intensely creative and semi-crazed process on films including Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July, and JFK for Stone; Hugo and The Aviator for Scorsese; and Kill Bill and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood for Tarantino. Meanwhile, his wives and children, left at home for months while he was on location, wondered what their father was doing.
Personal Turmoil and Family Estrangement
The film reveals a painful story: Richardson fell out with his brother after his brother's child died and Richardson never attended the funeral, perhaps afraid of being consumed by his brother's grief and focused on his career. Richardson also compulsively recorded home videos, including amusing footage of his daughter scolding him for not being present. The most staggering home movie footage, in vivid 4K clarity, shows Richardson's just-deceased mother being lifted off her deathbed by medical staff—a shocking, upsetting moment, though little else is said about his mother in the film. One of his Oscar acceptance speeches was dedicated to her.
Professional Conflicts and Reconciliations
Richardson fell out with Stone when he decided to work with Scorsese, and with Tarantino over a particular shot on Kill Bill, but later reconciled with Tarantino. The documentary cannot show these macho head-butting quarrels, but it offers a reverent, clear-eyed portrait that cinephiles will treasure.
