CPH PIX William Friedkin Masterclass

The talk was held at the 2014 CPH PIX festival. Space Rocket Nation is the production company of the acclaimed director/producer team of Nicolas Winding Refn and Lene Borglum. Follow us at / spacerocketnation to discover similar content as it becomes available

[@carrion_man3700]

Love Friedkin. He is still underrated to this day. Unbelievable body of work. Admirable work ethic. Damn, he is one of my favorite directors of all time!

[@iranforever1566]

Sorry where are you from?

[@ltcolumbo9708]

@@iranforever1566 why

[@iranforever1566]

@@ltcolumbo9708 why not

[@deckofcards87]

The French Connection and the Exorcist are great. Haven't loved anything he did after that. Sorcerer was interesting.

[@Valkonnen]

The "work Ethic" was just a matter of fact to our Grandparents . They had a resolve that we all have , but societal structure inhibits it and basically kills it for many people.

[@sonpham32]

RIP, a great storyteller.

[@ltcolumbo9708]

I can hear him fearlessly speak his mind all day long

[@jimmerhardy]

Too bad they couldn't get the audio right. Fredkin is one to watch.

[@griffinhamill761]

It looks like Billy’s final film made his directorial filmography an even 20. RIP you legend.

[@Nataloff]

In addition to being a gifted director, William Friedkin gives mesmerizing and commanding interviews. That's why it's a shame that the preparation for this master class didn't include a simple audio tap to make it possible to understand much of what was being said. Such a loss.

[@CelestialWoodway]

I understood every word without even struggling.

[@Faceplantfloor]

Well, I couldn't hear it very well when I used my laptop's built-in speakers at max volume, but I plugged in headphones and could hear everything clearly, so... seems like a you problem. Friedkin interviewing Fritz Lang was superb.

[@tompagano9015]

Audio sucks. It should not be an effort to listen to hour plus interview.

[@bardsamok9221]

​@@Faceplantfloorexactly this. Straight up truth and pointing the finger at the problem. Very appropriate eh?

[@TheMrbrowniie]

The Nicolas Winding Refn Roast

[@Graco451]

So true, although I felt bad for him

[@knownpleasures]

He did the same thing to his actors as well once he found out how to touch your nerve

[@johnboy32064]

Bill Friedkin's comprehensive knowledge of filmmaking, as well art in general, is really impressive. I think "The Exorcist" is a cinematic masterpiece. I've yet to see another film that mounts suspense and fear in a way that comes close to it. Ridley Scott's “Alien” comes close, albeit without the subtext that makes "The Exorcist" so haunting. When you think of taking a subject matter so out of this world, and truthfully, not at all real, and make it seem that it can actually happen, that's quite an achievement. Yes, there has to be, for most people at least, a suspension of disbelief upon seeing this movie. The thing is, by the time you've finished watching, you might very well be convinced that demonic possession is possible.

[@AAFC733]

Ridley Scott and the original Alien?

[@ElectricLabel]

I was a bit seduced by Alien when I first saw it in my teens, but it plummeted in my estimation when I realised that it is basically just Jaws in space hidden behind the plundered treasures of Jodorowsky's Dune. The final insult was when I read that originally the part of Ripley had been intended for Veronica Cartwright, but at the last minute Scott switched her role with that of Sigourney Weaver. Which I think is one of the great casting blunders of all time. Veronica Cartwright would have been outstanding in that part, because she would have made it multi-layered and vulnerable. The biggest problem with those films is that at no point in any of them does the alien look like a match for Sigourney Weaver.

[@jkardez4794]

"We have no control over our lives " . An absolutely true and honest statement which I keep saying to myself whenever I look back and analyse my life and the stupid mistakes that I have unwittingly made . All I can agree is that they were completely out of my control . Sadly the audio quality could have been rectified.

[@Major42]

Be honest.

[@Valkonnen]

I love Billy Friedkin because I think that he has an almost perfect demeanor. He exudes an alpha quality without the attributes that would normally be associated with a powerful person, Like aggression or judgement . I've worked in film for over 35 years and would love to sit and talk with him.

[@pete49327]

Love listening to Friedkin for sure, but was the interview set lit with car lights parked next to stage, and what's with the audio, did they forget to turn the hand held mics on?

[@Major42]

This was so good for me to hear that I can't describe it in words. I dream of making films. My mother is a nurse, my father died when I was young. I'm going on an adventure with my backpack. Wish me luck.

[@plisskin83]

Friedkin makes me feel dumb. Such a wise man.

[@kubolor1234]

Old people do that.

[@Faceplantfloor]

I hate to break it to you, but, "Such a wise man," is not a complete sentence. So... You should have used a semi-colon. "Friedkin makes me feel dumb; such a wise man." Or alternatively, you could have inserted, "He's" before, "Such a wise man." But I wouldn't change the naturalness of your wording. I would have gone with the semi-colon. :D

[@Flammenhagel]

@@Faceplantfloor you dont put a comma after but

[@Faceplantfloor]

@@Flammenhagel Yea you do, because it comes before quotation marks.

[@BakerDeltaFour]

I hate to break it to you Kenjuu … but there should have been a lower case ‘y’ after your ellipsis.

[@ferabra8939]

Sorcerer is a good movie. So is Cruising. But by then, the Spielbergs and Lucas had taken over.

[@guileniam]

The world had moved on too. Optimism in cinema was in because it reflected what people wanted compared to the introspective and self-destructive post vietnam american cinema of the 70s full of a new young generation. Now the young generation and taken over along with corporations not just in cinema but everywhere and commercialism and optimism factories lead to the 80s which then lead to the more street 90s which showed a stagnant almost bored western culture then 9/11 came and reset it again. I kinda liked the optimism era to be honest.

[@d-d-i]

@@guileniam But this also would mean that Friedkin would have so much demand nowadays with his gritty and brutally honest style. Mind you, it's nice to have different eras in filmmaking and styles, whether it is optimistic or darker view of the world.

[@guileniam]

@@d-d-i ​ @Dirty Deed Indeed He definitely would, but he's too old now and also wont get backing from any studio. He would do great on TV if he gets the support and embraces the changes in technique since his glory days. Studios will only back tentpoles and IPs. Streaming is where creativity is now. Also I think the post-covid era will lead to another optimism era, or if we get more world issues an even darker one.

[@d-d-i]

@@guileniam Oh I'd watch his stuff if he would do some TV work with reasonable stress, afterall he's old man indeed.

[@d-d-i]

@@guileniam Hah, how wrong we were, he's re-imagining The Caine Mutiny into new movie right now as we speak. One last movie from him most likely, hopefully it'll be great.

[@Moviememes]

They're awesome; thank you

[@ferdumas]

I loved this so much. These two are AMAZING and so so funny

[@dario6253]

Love this guy.

[@sadderthanyou7793]

Love it when Friedkin talks. Can't the stand the pretentiousness of the other dude.

[@thegrimyeaper]

"The other dude" makes excellent films

[@sadderthanyou7793]

@@thegrimyeaper He does not. He makes pretentious garbage.

[@markhirstwood4190]

Room/camera audio only, no sound from their mics. Can't watch, sorry.

[@beyondcinema]

Bill is funny

[@paulsontag9233]

Friedkin and Kid Refn

[@fredspringer1149]

Friedkin is practically doing stand up bits... He's doing crowd work for god's sake! I love how in the same breath he says art/movies isn't/aren't about life and death and then proceeds to describe how art/movies changed his life... He says ruling the world isn't possible and then mentions Welles who has had a tyrannical hold over art cinema since the very movie he mentions, ruling its world. Part of me just wishes he'd be more honest, but it's probably because I just watched NWR on Den.11, and that's about as honest as you get, folks.

[@DrOz-007]

I wonder what WF thinks of Imax 70mm film? This beats any digital projection. It's not even up for debate, it's simply better. Arguments of cost and practicalities in shooting in 70mm are separate of course. 70mm will always be niche cinema, that much is clear. But ultimately my conclusion is that people see convenience.

[@pete49327]

I just saw Grand Prix on the Criterion Channel, filmed in 1965, and I remarked at how clean and great the film looked; the colors were so smooth and rich. Only later did I learn it was shot on 70 mm. Yes, large format celluloid is king.

[@LoyalOpposition]

RIP

[@PascoZach]

Refn needs to put the microphone near his mouth. Can't understand what he's saying

[@brainsareus]

The interviewer is also way TOO chatty... he needs to get to the fucking point, quicker!!

[@lukenorth7127]

brainsareus Unfortunately Refn’s so-called “interviewing skills” are the norm today. The person asking the questions has this brilliant idea to draw stuff out and add needless remarks.

[@massi6528]

When the voice is low, put there subs at least!

[@ferabra8939]

"We all wind up the same way". Well, hopefully I don't wind up the same way as Burke Dennings. Not a nice death, not a nice last vision...

[@robvillano305]

Um!!!!! Sound Man??? Bad Sound Mic check?? anyone

[@juniorjangles7655]

Hahah I love how he goofs on this arrogant, pretentious Danish host 🤣🤣 “..David”

[@Hammy5641]

I don't know how this guy can vibe off Friedkin & churn out shit like Drive.

[@TheAestheticSemantics]

Steven Hamilton drive is a masterpiece.

[@Hammy5641]

Pusher was good; Bronson's no big deal; 'art movie' - bit strong...he wasn't exactly Bergman!

[@Nickster188]

Love letter to B Acton flicks from 80's, Drive was cool. Albert Brooks playing a killer was a nice choice, against type.

[@ElectricLabel]

@@TheAestheticSemantics No, he's right. Drive is complete shit.

[@carrottoponcrak]

@@ElectricLabel it was good but nothing really new. Very well done

[@Brutalearll]

I hate the ‘go out and film’ or ‘put it on youtube’ what Person goes on KZbin watching game vids or music vids. Or whatever the average person KZbin’s. I doubt they sit down and give an indie a chance. Or sit there ready to watch a drama. The average person doesn’t do that

[@gabrielegagliardi3956]

GO out and film makes sense, a lot of recognized people started just playing their songs of KZbin, it worked. Obviuosly one problem of this approach is the market filled with amateurish material and crap. But i've seen a lot of [free short horror / sci fi movie] with millions of views, imagine a good work out there instead of nothing.

[@Overnity]

what a pity the sound is Kak...

[@irish66]

Guess it must have been upgraded. Sounds fine to me.

[@SeniorAdrian]

1:36:27 well, that statement aged like milk.

[@alexw9544]

What are the chances that NWR gets married to the daughter of Fritz Lang? Talk about a film fetish.

[@alexw9544]

Ah, thanks Wikipedia... NWR's father is a director and his mother is a cinematographer. Film schools are crowded with guys like him. So he was born into this, and his parents had connections to get him into the industry. One always thinks these guys come up from nothing, from nowhere, (that's what they have you believe) but there's always a backstory there. From what I've seen of his stuff it's pure empty aesthetics. Expelled from film school for throwing a table into a wall. So he's a privileged brat, given opportunities, and now goes around calling himself a genius, and his films masterpieces. And the Transformers and Grand Theft Auto generation believes it because film has been in progressive decline since Spielberg rose up. NWR becomes a more unappealing a character the more I learn about him. His films are empty visual exercises because he's empty and can only draw upon other films as reference material. 90 minute advertisements.

[@frareanvidal]

yes chicken

[@NicolasWaldvogel]

@@alexw9544 can't say I agree on both fronts. Yes in Nicolas' case (haha!) it's true that he was kind of born into it. But there were and are many successful directors that weren't like Scorsese or Fincher and Nolan more recently. Secondly, I would say NWR has made films of substance as well like Drive and Bronson. Yes, he has a very visual style and his films have B-movie tropes to them but there is much more below the surface. At least that's how it is for me. And many people and critics agree with me.

[@ElectricLabel]

@@NicolasWaldvogel Drive is a piece of shit.

[@NicolasWaldvogel]

@@ElectricLabel ok boomer

[@waywardwatchdog1]

Refn talks too much here. He's not a fraction as interesting as Friedkin.

[@dornravlin]

i bet Friedkin would get a restraining order

[@DevilMaskMedia]

Or a fraction as talented. Though he apparently thinks he is .

[@brainsareus]

he's chatty, redundant, and anal. horrible interviewer, I agree.

[@RuniDjurhuus]

Quite boring actually

[@pressureworks]

Some people just worship themselves.

[@Faceplantfloor]

This was great, but not a master class.

[@xavierpaquin]

They got their ukrainian war in the end

[@brainsareus]

WF is just so corny; as he always has to run the gag into the ground, until he totally beats the funny out of it.

[@ltcolumbo9708]

Call 911