American director William Friedkin, who directed “The Exorcist” and other films, died in Los Angeles (California, USA) on Monday at the age of 87.
Chapman University Dean Stephen Galloway, a friend of the deceased’s wife Sherry Lansing, confirmed the death, according to professional media reports. He confirmed the cause of death was heart failure and pneumonia.
His latest film, “Kane Mutiny Court Martial,” starring Kiefer Sutherland, will premiere at the next Venice Film Festival.
Along with directors such as Brian De Palma, George Lucas, Martin Scorsese, Michael Cimino and Francis Ford Coppola, Friedkin was a leading figure in the New Hollywood wave of the 1970s. part.
Born in Chicago, he combined his television experience, notably as a documentary filmmaker, with avant-garde editing techniques, leaving his mark on the horror and police thriller genres.
In 1971, Friedkin made a suspenseful film, Touching France, about two New York detectives as they struggle to catch a heroin ring.
Shot like a documentary, the movie has one of the most memorable chase scenes in movie history. The film was critically acclaimed, earning eight nominations at the 44th Academy Awards, including five for Best Director.
The film got directors like Akira Kurosawa (“The Hidden Fortress,” 1958), David Fincher (“Fight Club,” 1999) or Steven Spielberg (“Jaws,” 1985) recognition.
Two years later, Friedkin released his most popular work, “The Exorcist,” which became one of the greatest horror films ever made, telling the story of “Reagan,” a 12-year-old man possessed by a demon. Year-old girl struggles with mother and a priest comes to save her.
The famous scene where the girl’s head spins 360 degrees is still remembered by moviegoers and the general public to this day.
The film encountered a number of issues during filming, some of which are categorized as “supernatural,” such as a fire in the recording studio, a main room that affected the story’s development, and accidents with actors.
In addition, Linda Blair, who played “Reagan” at the age of 14, received death threats from religious fanatics who accused her of glorifying Satan.
After a while, Friedkin admitted that he had made up the scenes in the film without knowing what an exorcism really was like, as he had never done so before making the documentary The Devil and Father Amos (2017). Witnessed an exorcism.
The cumulative box office of “The Exorcist” reached 500 million US dollars (approximately 454 million euros), and Friedkin was once again nominated for an Oscar for director.
“The Exorcist” was nominated for 18 Academy Awards, winning two for Best Screenplay and Best Sound.
This year the film will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its premiere with another showing in cinemas across the country. A sequel, The Exorcist: The Believer, is also expected, this time directed by David Gordon Green.
Other notable credits to his film credits include To Live and Die in Los Angeles (1985) and Killer Joe (2011).
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he also directed these films
*French Liaison (1971)
* “The Exorcist” (1973).
*The Salary of Fear (1977).
*Live and Die in Los Angeles (1985).
* Jed (1995).
* Contract Killer (2011).