Newly discovered images taken on set of Stanley Kubrick film go on show in Morecambe

Photographs taken on the set of a Stanley Kubrick film are being shown for the very first time as part of The Bay International Film Festival, taking place in Morecambe.

The exhibition at The Midland Hotel features more than 30 photographs taken by Norrie MacLaren, who worked as an assistant to Stanley Kubrick on Barry Lyndon, and The Shining.

Along with Norrie’s vivid recollections of working with the Oscar winning director, they provide a fascinating insight into Kubrick’s process on the 50th anniversary of the making of the film lauded for its ground-breaking cinematography.

Tasked with researching locations in Ireland and England for the period film, Norrie always carried three cameras, one of which he used to snap images for a personal record of his working life. It was some of these old unprocessed reels where he discovered the photos featured in the exhibition.

The series capture scenes with the director and the production crew and members of his family - Christaine Kubrick visiting the set; Leonard Rossiter on the way to make up; Pat Roach about to go into the iconic fight scene; Kubrick reviewing his army of Redcoats, set designer Ken Adam, brother-in-law Jan Harlan and Kubrick’s daughter Vivian on a day out from school.

With long working hours and a filming schedule that stretched over several years, Norrie became part of Kubrick’s family on set and recalls evenings spent playing table tennis with the director.

Speaking from his Highland home just ahead of the exhibition opening, Norrie said: “It was an exciting time with Stanley and to be involved in the research. We [Norrie and John Pasmore] were basically going out to be his eyes.

‘’I built a relationship with Stanley and the trust was good. I enjoyed him as a friend, I enjoyed him as a person to be with. My time with him also gave me a fascinating grounding into the whole industry.”

Matt Panesh - who is staging the photography exhibition and interviewed Norrie as part of the research - said: “It’s a dream come true to be able to show these wonderful images which reveal so much about how Kubrick worked.

‘’It’s very special to be presenting it here in Morecambe ahead of the film festival’s gala weekend with our invited guest Jan Harlan, Kubrick’s brother-in-law. I’m very grateful to Norrie for his generous loan of his photography and for sharing so many wonderful memories of his time working with Kubrick.”

The Bay International Film Festival features a Stanley Kubrick retrospective for the rare chance to see his masterpieces on widescreen as the director always intended. Screenings are taking place at The Reel Cinema all next week with Paths of Glory, The Shining and Dr Strangelove the final three films to be shown.

The gala weekend takes place Friday 27 to Sunday 29 October. Special guest Jan Harlan - Kubrick’s brother-in-law and producer - will be attending to take part in a Q&A following a gala screening of Full Metal Jacket. He was executive producer of the film and worked with Kubrick for more than 30 years.

Entrance to the Kubrick photography exhibition is free.

For more information about The Bay International Film Festival and to buy tickets, go to  www.thebayfilmfestival.com