00:00 William Friedkin, known for having directed The Exorcist and French Connection, died on Monday, August 17, 2023 in Los Angeles, at the age of 87.
00:21 The sad news was announced by his wife Sherry Lansing, a Hollywood reporter.
00:29 William Friedkin became passionate about cinema, and more precisely about filmmaking, after seeing Citizen Kane's Orson Welles.
00:40 His parents did not have the means to pay him for his studies, he first worked as a courier for the WGN television channel, before becoming a live-action show director at a time when television channels were multiplying.
00:57 This American then specialized in documentary, before diversifying.
01:05 In the 1970s, he established himself as a figure in New Hollywood alongside Martin Scorsese or Francis Ford Coppola.
01:16 In 1971, his film French Connection, refused by several studios, won 5 Oscars, including Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best Director.
01:31 Two years later, William Friedkin released another film that became cult, The Exorcist.
01:40 A feature film named for the Oscars in the category of Best Director.
01:47 His last film will be released in a few weeks after these two successes, William Friedkin has never stopped working.
01:57 His last film, The Cane Mutiny Court Martial, must be released at the end of the year, after being presented in preview at the Venice Film Festival, which will take place on August 20 to September 9.
02:12 An event he will not be able to attend. On August 17, his wife Sheryl Hensing indeed announced the death of the filmmaker, at 87, to the American media The Hollywood Reporter.
02:28 For the moment, the causes of his disappearance have not been specified.
02:35 In 1980, the director had already frowned upon death by being the victim of a heart attack while he was driving his car.
02:47 Father of two, he was the husband of the French Jane Moreau between 1977 and 1979, of Leslie Hannedown between 1982 and 1985, then of Kelly Lange between 1987 and 1990.
03:07 He has shared the life of Sheryl Hensing, his great love, since 1991.
03:17 He has been a great friend to his wife, and has always been a great friend to his children.
03:27 He has been a great friend to his wife, and has always been a great friend to his children.
03:47 He has been a great friend to his wife, and has always been a great friend to his children.
04:07 ♪ I have a remake, it's alright ♪
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