By Johnny Ray Huston
Scott Walker: 30 Century Man trailer
Stephen Kijak knows San Francisco at least as well as he knows the subject of his new movie, Scott Walker: 30 Century Man. Kijak lived here in the 20th century, and he’s making a return visit in honor of Scott Walker: 30 Century Man‘s Bay Area theatrical premiere this weekend. The visit allows him an opportunity to play Walker songs at the Casanova Lounge this Friday night. I recently talked all-things-Walker on the phone with the handsome-voiced Kijak, who studied with Ray Carney, and whose past directorial credits include a drama starring Margot Kidder with a score by Kristin Hersh, episodes of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, and the 2002 movie obsessive doc Cinemaniacs.
Stephen Kijak. Photo by Mia Hanson.
SFBG: In making the film, what was the most surprising facet of Scott Walker that you discovered?
Stephen Kijak: To this day, it’s still a mystery to me. It might be his honesty and simplicity. His music sounds extreme and experimental and avant-garde – he’s been accused of being the emperor’s new clothes or being weird for weirdness’ sake. But the actual simple and focused dedication to narrative ideas within his music, and the seriousness of it, was extraordinary to witness. Witnessing it was the thing.
There is a lot of humor threaded throughout the process. It was revealing to see the relationship he has with the musicians, and his actual process in the studio. It seems unencumbered by angst or torment – he’s a very natural, easygoing, funny man, and they just have a good time in the studio making these records.
Of course, he does push himself to limits, to execute and achieve what he needs, but it all seems to be done with a great camaraderie and respect. The musicians will do anything for him. Instead of surprise, I had a sense of awe about being allowed this privileged peek into his process. We had limited access, but it was definitely quality over quantity.
SFBG: So you didn’t have a large amount of footage to work with?