For American high school students of the mid-80s, “cable” and MTV radically impacted our perceptions of the world – and of the realm of possibilities. Driven, determined, ambitious, and male, my own dreams of success (focused in aerospace – and/or show business) took high-contrast form under the spells of John Hughes, Randal Kleiser, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg. “Risky Business” was another phenomenon of time-space that refracted my aspirations. When the bold “Real Genius” and the ridiculous and ballsy “Top Secret!” appeared on HBO, I was star-struck. Next came “Top Gun,” and the alchemy of Cruise, Kilmer and their like cinematically orchestrated by master storytellers subconsciously seized control of my outlook.
Thus inspired, I brought my A-game to the film and television industry. Along the way, through digitalization, cameras became more accessible. Despite not being in position to direct my own “National Lampoon,” I could shoot stuff for fun, experiment, and document my life.
It winds up, while he was living the life millions dreamt about, heartthrob and “Einstein of the 80s” (according to the “Real Genius” poster) Val Kilmer was also shooting stuff for fun, and documenting his life.
Regardless of status or achievement level, the effects of time are finite. Still, in the best cases, a timeless Opie Taylor can grow into a beloved Richie Cunningham, then soar as a highly celebrated director. Seemingly, it all plays out on the screen, for better or for worse, for the world to see.
I photographed Directors Ting Poo and Leo Scott for The Wrap @TheWrap Cannes Directors Portfolio.
They directed the very buzzy Val Kilmer @valkilmer documentary “Val” that premiered this week and hits Amazon in August. pic.twitter.com/TEOUiB5uJT
— Ⓒⓗⓡⓘⓢ Ⓛⓞⓤⓟⓞⓢ (@ChrisLoupos) July 8, 2021
Directors Ting Poo and Leo Scott seized their opportunity to work with Mr. Kilmer, and his children Jack and Mercedes, to craft an extraordinary personal archive of footage into a captivating, behind-the-scenes Hollywood tell-all. The resulting film premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival in July, and has been available on Prime Video since early August.
The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg attended the Cannes premiere, and shared this with us all.
Tremendous Cannes reception following the world premiere of the very powerful and moving Val Kilmer doc VAL. Seen here: directors Ting Poo and Leo Scott, and Kilmer’s son/the film’s narrator, Jack Kilmer. Must see. pic.twitter.com/Tmzi2YIi47
— Scott Feinberg (@ScottFeinberg) July 7, 2021
As an esteemed artist and mesmerizing celebrity I’ve been watching intently for over 35 years, screening this documentary was a profoundly moving experience. For our movie heroes and our loved ones, cancer is a nightmare. When they are able to fight back, their resiliency and courage is deeply meaningful. Thanks to this collaboration by remarkable talents, we all have a chance to witness a story so rich, it is almost unbelievable. It unmasks our notions about celebrity, and it feeds our souls for carrying on.
Thankfully, this saga continues on Prime Video and at https://valkilmer.com.
