An Open Letter To The Motion Picture Community

January 20, 2005
Zurich

By my reckoning, it’s been more than twenty years since my “mandatory retirement” from the Industry. And though I once cursed the insiders and the powerbrokers, the petty little men who dragged me kicking and screaming away from my beloved director’s chair, I want to take this opportunity to thank them. Thank you for the best years of my life. Yes, these past two decades in exile turned out better than I ever could have imagined.

Long ago, I vowed never to have anything to do with a film again. I bought a villa in the Alps, took up landscape painting, and built a new life for myself. No, don’t worry. I am not planning a comeback. I couldn’t stomach the aggravation in the twilight of my years.

However, I haven’t forgotten what has been (and what could have been) and I want to set the record straight. In the past few years, a small group of critics and cineastes have taken an inexplicable interest in my films and a producer recently contacted me in regards to a documentary about my life and work.

Interviews are currently underway and some of my colleagues (you know who you are) will be tapped to speak on camera about me. For many, I know I shall be persona non grata in perpetuity. I accept that. However, whether you want to speak about me with kindness or anger, I only ask that you do speak. Do not hide behind a passive “no comment”. Your silence does not show contempt for the abominable J.X. Williams, it shows a contempt for history. You do a disservice to the public to bury my story, even if it is an ugly one.

Bob, you once said there are three sides to any story. Indeed, there are: the truth, the truth, and the truth. And that’s all I ask of you, Roger, Peter, and the rest of the gang: the truth. It’s time to stop the denial game and come to grips with what we went through. You must admit there were some good times mixed with the bad. Let’s talk about it and put the rumours and backbiting to rest.

And if any of you happen to be in my neck of the woods en route to St. Moritz, stop by for a drink chez Williams and let’s talk about the bad ol’ days. Just leave your guns at the door.

Sincerely yours,
J.X.