Hollywood pays tribute to William Friedkin, director of "French Connection" and "The Exorcist ».

Steph Deschamps / August 10, 2023

Last night, the world learned of the death, at the age of 87, of director William Friedkin, made famous by such films as "French Connection" and the horror classic "The Exorcist". Since then, his star on Los Angeles' famous Hollywood Boulevard has been decorated with flowers laid by fans of the director. "The Exorcist made a big impression on me, I was so scared," says one film fan as he photographs the wreath of flowers and the director's star.

 

Brian Donnelly, guide and lover of American cinema, says: "The Exorcist made a big impression on me, I was so scared because it was based on a true story, it was frightening. The way he filmed... He was a brilliant director. »

 

The 7th art community was quick to send their thoughts to the American director. Actress Linda Blair, world-famous for her role as Regan, the possessed little girl in "The Exorcist", posted a message on her Instagram account: "As in Sidney Poitier's famous film "To Sir with Love", how do you express gratitude to the person who changed your life forever, and the world? (...) He was my director, my friend and my protector. It was an honor to know him, and I am deeply saddened at this moment (...) ».

 

Cinema has lost a true expert and I have lost a dear, loyal person, a true friend," said director Guillermo del Toro, on social networks, saluting the work of "one of the gods of cinema ».

  

William Friedkin is "one of the most impactful filmmakers of all time", assured Eli Roth, actor and director of horror films, assuring on Instagram that the filmmaker had "changed the course of (his)life. »

 

William Friedkin is survived by his wife, former producer Sherry Lansing, and two sons.