EDITOR’S NOTE: William Friedkin’s passing is a gutting experience for anyone lucky enough to have sat as he reminisced over his classic movies, with measures of regret for the recklessness, humor, and keen observations of why Hollywood’s Auteur Era gave way to the global blockbuster, and whatever it is we have today as two guilds strike seeking transparency, and residuals for writers and actors. This interview was originally published August 6, 2015 under the title ’70s Maverick Revisits A Golden Era With Tales Of Glory And Reckless Abandon. I am feeling a bit gutted by Friedkin’s passing. I looked forward to a long interview with him for his Venice-bound Showtime remake of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial. After spending time with Billy and his elegant wife Sherry Lansing at Peter Bart’s 90th birthday where the back and forth between them proved the highlight of the evening, I wanted them to write a column for Deadline. On anything. None of that can happen now, and Deadline can only offer condolences to Sherry. And to Deadline readers who are Friedkin fans, a replay of this bracingly honest look at his career, done as he got a reissue of Sorcerer, the adaptation of the Georges Arnaud novel that first was filmed as 1953’s The Wages of Fear. The whole interview is presented as originally published nearly a decade ago.
French Lawmakers Propose New Media Independence Law Amid Growing Debate Over Vincent Bolloré’s Influence
24.07.2023 - 13:49 / deadline.com
French lawmakers are proposing new legislation aimed at protecting media independence amid growing concerns over big business interference and politicization in the sector in France.
The cross-party initiative has been prompted by an ongoing strike at Sunday newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, or JDD, in protest at a move to install far-right journalist Geoffroy Lejeune as editor, by parent the Lagardère Group, which is currently in the process of being acquired by Vivendi.
The JDD journalists have rejected Lejeune’s appointment saying his values are out of whack with those of the newspaper. They are also calling for a guarantee of editorial independence.
The industrial action meant the newspaper did not publish for a fifth consecutive week on Sunday (July 24), the longest period it has been absent from newspaper racks in its 75-history.
Lejeune was previously editor of the far-right magazine Valeurs Actuelles and supporter of the extreme right 2022 presidential candidate Éric Zemmour as well as author of a novel about his imaginary election to the role.
Under the proposed media independence law, a publication’s access to state funding, which is a key source of financing for France’s press sector, would be tied to its journalists having the right to approve editor appointments. JDD received around $2.1 million (€1.9 million) in state aid in 2021.
In the broadcast sector, it would be tied to the granting of terrestrial TV and radio licenses.
“This is in reaction to what is going on at JDD but the general text is aimed at guaranteeing the rights of all journalists to give them a say on editor appointments,” deputy Sophie Taillé-Polian, who is spearheading the proposal, told Deadline.
Taillé-Polian, who is an Ecologist
R.I.P. William Friedkin: ‘The Exorcist’ & ‘French Connection Filmmaker Has Passed Away
The iconic filmmaker, William Friedkin, has passed away at the age of 87. One of the famous directors to spawn from the “New Hollywood” era of film is probably best known for his work on the legendary horror film, “The Exorcist.” That film was nominated for 10 Oscars after its release, including Best Director.
This Morning axed from schedule amid daytime shakeup on Tuesday
This Morning will be off air on Tuesday, 8 August as ITV1 shakes up its schedule to make room for the Women’s FIFA Football World Cup.The flagship mid-morning programme, which has been a staple on screens since 1988, will be replaced by coverage of the tournament, which is taking place in Australia and New Zealand.The final two rounds of 16 matches will be played tomorrow ahead of the quarter finals, which begin on 11 August. Colombia and Jamaica are set to go head to head at 9am BST on 8 August, with the winning team set to face the Lionesses in the Quarter Finals.
William Friedkin Dies: Oscar-Winning ‘French Connection’ Director & ‘Exorcist’ Nominee Was 87
William Friedkin, who won as Oscar for directing The French Connection, scored a nomination for The Exorcist and also helmed The Boys in the Band, To Live and Die in L.A., Rules of Engagement and others, died today in Los Angeles. He way 87.
Sofia Richie Uses This $8 Mascara With Over 100K Reviews ‘Every Single Day’
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Carl Davis, BAFTA-Winning Composer of ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman,’ Dies at 86
Naman Ramachandran Carl Davis, the composer known for his BAFTA-winning score for “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” (1981), died of a brain hemorrhage on Thursday. He was 86.
Carl Davis Dies: ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’, ‘Pride And Prejudice’ & Silent Film Composer Was 86
American-born conductor and composer Carl Davis, who had lived in the UK since 1961, has died in Oxford aged 86.
Martine McCutcheon shows off a new ‘French girl’ micro fringe and short bob
Love Actually star Martine McCutcheon showed off her stunning new look, unveiling a ‘French girl’ micro fringe and short bob while enjoying a sun-soaked holiday to Mallorca.The former EastEnders star, 47, swapped her long locks for the choppy bob and micro fringe, with a hair expert telling OK! that it’s the ‘IT girl look’ of the season. “This season sees the classic bob take on a Parisian feel with a statement fringe and wavy, undone texture,” explains Jordanna Cobella, Wella Professionals digital craft expert, and Cobella salon owner.
Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt Reach Agreement In Legal Battle Over French Winery
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have come to an agreement amid an ongoing legal battle about Chateau Miraval, the French winery that they once shared.
Global Breakouts: French Action Picture ‘Farang’ Defies Riots In Bid To Fill Space Left By Luc Besson’s EuropaCorp
Welcome to Global Breakouts, Deadline’s new strand in which, each fortnight, we shine a spotlight on the TV shows and films killing it in their local territories. The industry is as globalized as it’s ever been, but breakout hits are appearing in pockets of the world all the time and it can be hard to keep track. So we’re going to do the hard work for you.
‘Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir,’ Animated Girl-Power Musical, Conquers French Box Office
Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent While Greta Gerwig’s girl-power blockbuster “Barbie” is ruling over the French box office, another much younger female-led franchise, “Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir” has managed to pull approximately €8 million ($8.9 million) at the local B.O., from more than 1.1 million tickets, since bowing on July 5. Budgeted around $80 million and directed by Jeremy Zag, “Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir” ranks as one of France’s most ambitious animated films to date. Featuring eight original songs, a queer storyline and a postcard-worthy Parisian backdrop, the musical film broke ground as the first female-powered superhero movie set in the French capital. Even as it faces stiff competition from “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” “Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir” has enough legs to match or surpass recent non-U.S. animated hits such as “Ballerina,” which sold 1.8 million tickets in France. It garnered 318,144 admissions on its opening day in theaters, a record for a French animated film. In Germany, the movie sold 586,148 tickets in three weeks and is currently the leading family title at the box office.
French Soccer Ad Goes Viral for Pointing Out Gender Biases Ahead of the Women’s World Cup
A French soccer commercial went viral ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup for pointing out gender biases in the sport.
The Walking Dead: Dead City & Norman Reedus Spinoff Series Renewed At AMC
AMC is keeping the zombie apocalypse alive.
French Film Guilds Pledge ‘Full Solidarity’ With SAG-AFTRA and WGA Double Strike
Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent French film guilds representing authors, directors and producers have released a joint letter pledging their “full solidarity” with the SAG-AFTRA and WGA double strike. “This battle that’s shaping tomorrow’s industry crosses borders. It’s also ours,” reads the letter, which was signed by the ARP (authors, directors, producers) and SRF (society of French directors), the governing body of Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight. The letter says the double strike “signals a turning point where the questions of sharing of wealth and integration of new models and AI are central.”
‘La Maison’: Apple TV+ Greenlights Drama Series On Iconic French Fashion House Starring Lambert Wilson
Iconic French fashion house La Maison is to be spotlighted in an Apple TV+ drama series starring seven-time César Award nominee Lambert Wilson.
French Cinema Guilds Declare Solidarity With WGA & SAG-AFTRA Strikes
French cinema guilds L’Arp and La SRF have put out a joint statement declaring solidarity with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Women’s World Cup Kicks Off As Planned In New Zealand Just Hours After Auckland Shooting; Co-Host Nation Triumphs Against Norway In Opening Match
The 2023 Women’s World Cup kicked off as planned in Auckland on Thursday, with the co-hosting nation New Zealand triumphing in the opening match against Norway just hours after a lone shooter killed two people and injured six others in the city.
Iconic French Actress Brigitte Bardot Receives Emergency Care After Suffering Breathing Difficulties
Brigitte Bardot has been dealing with health issues.
French Media Scrambles Following Brigitte Bardot Health Scare; Actress Recently Posted On Grief At Jane Birkin’s Death
Emergency services were called to Brigitte Bardot’s Saint Tropez home on Wednesday after the iconic French actress and animal rights activist suffered breathing difficulties, according to French media reports.
Angelina Jolie Spends Quality Time With Pax and Zahara in New York City
Angelina Jolie has been spending time with her kids in the Big Apple! This week, the 48-year-old actress was spotted out and about with her 18-year-old daughter, Zahara, and 19-year-old son, Pax, in New York City.On Sunday, the trio stepped out to go apartment hunting. Everyone was dressed casually for the outing, with Zahara in a T-shirt and biker shorts, Pax wearing a white tee and black pants, and their mom opting for a white coat, gray pants and platform shoes.The next night, Angelina had some mother-son time with Pax, as the pair went to dinner together in the West Village.