FRIEDKIN UNCUT offers an introspective insight into the life and artistic journey of William Friedkin, an extraordinary and offbeat director of cult films such as THE FRENCH CONNECTION, THE EXORCIST, SORCERER, CRUISING, TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. and KILLER JOE. For the first time Friedkin opens up, guiding the audience on a fascinating journey through the themes and the stories that have influenced his life and his artistic career. Thanks to an ‘all star’ cast of friends and collaborators (including, among others, Francis Ford Coppola, Quentin Tarantino, Willem Dafoe, Wes Anderson, Matthew McConaughey, Ellen Burstyn, Michael Shannon and Juno Temple), we discover stories, anecdotes, and discuss what being an artist really means in order to celebrate the one and only Billy Friedkin and the fun and the passion of making art.

Direction: Francesco Zippel

Script: Francesco Zippel

Production: Francesco Zippel

Co-Production: Federica Paniccia

Cinematography: Marco Tomaselli

Editing: Mariaromana Casiraghi

Sound: Rino D'Anna

Original Score: Costanza Francavilla

Cast: William Friedkin, Wes Anderson, Francis Ford Coppola, Edgar Wright, Ellen Busrtyn, Juno Temple, Willem Dafoe

Original Title: FRIEDKIN UNCUT

Original Language: English

Film Production Country: Italy

Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/friedkinuncut/

Statement of the Director/s
The director of one of the most ‘terrifying’ films in the history of cinema can also be the most entertaining and engaging person you can ever meet? Yes, if the person is William Friedkin. An ironic, intelligent, intimately anti-conformist man, able to cross decades of life and great cinema with the conscious lightness of a kid. This is what I wanted to capture the day I was about to ask my first question to Mr Friedkin. I never imagined that the same feeling was shared by the many great artists that have helped cutting this portrait, an absolutely ‘uncut’ one.
This film has been a wonderful journey for me, a journey that started out during our lunch breaks while we were editing THE DEVIL AND FATHER AMORTH in Los Angeles. Every day a new story, an anecdote, a bright look at moments in film history and at all the people who have populated it. Moments, people, stories that Billy Friedkin has lived and that he keeps on sharing with the people around him. I was captivated from the very first time I listened to him and I immediately thought that his ‘voice’ had to be heard and his precious memories shared. Those days in L.A. have been followed by many others all around the world while he was screening his film or accepting the most prestigious lifetime achievement awards. Every day a new moment to capture.
Along the way I’ve been joined by his friends and collaborators, a group of enthusiastic and admiring Friedkin fans. Their energy has been contagious, and it’s been a privilege for me to have the chance to listen to the unique perspectives on Friedkin from people like, among others, Francis Ford Coppola, Damien Chazelle, Zubin Mehta, Wes Anderson, Juno Temple, Matthew McConaughey. Each one very different from the other but filled with the same love for the one and only Billy Friedkin.

Biography of the Director/s
Documentary writer active since 2003, Francesco Zippel has concentrated his interest on portraits of artists and unique personalities often related to film and literature. Among others he recounted the adventures of an unconventional filmmaker like Nicholas Ray, the glories of film mogul Dino De Laurentiis, the dark times of the Hollywood Blacklist and the very different lives of the Italian journalist Indro Montanelli and writer Leonardo Sciascia. He then had the opportunity to work alongside authors such as Wes Anderson, in THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, and William Friedkin in THE DEVIL AND FATHER AMORTH, presented in 2017 out of competition at the Venice Film Festival. During the making of this film, he developed the idea that soon became FRIEDKIN UNCUT.

Filmography of the Director/s
2018 - FRIEDKIN UNCUT
2014 - THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, BACKSTAGE DIR.
2013 - GUIDO CREPAX!
2011 - PORTRAIT OF NICHOLAS RAY
2011 - CONTRO IL CORO , RITRATTO DI INDRO MONTANELLI
2009 - DINO
2009 - LA MUSICA DEL PENSIERO. LEONARDO SCIASCIA
2008 - THE HOLLYWOOD TEN
2007 - IN VIAGGIO CON VERDONE
2007 - QUELLI DI VIA FANI, co-directed with Fabrizio Berruti
2006 - IL PARTIGIANO PERT, co-directed with Fabrizio Berruti
2005 - LA PASSIONE SECONDO PIER PAOLO, co-directed with Fabrizio Berruti

Awards Won
Nastro d'Argento, won "best documentary on cinema"
David di Donatello, nominated for best documentary

Production Company:
Quoiat
Francesco Zippel
Via San Calepodio 52
Roma , 00152 , Italy
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: +39 347 35 42 874‬

World Sales:
DOC & FILM INTERNATIONAL
Daniel Elstner
13 rue Portefoin
Paris, 75003, France
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: +33 1 42 77 56 87
Website: http://www.docandfilm.com/en/

Press:
PressPress
Lucrezia Viti
Via Andrea Doria 67
Rome, 00192, Italy
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: +39 06 4568 4719
Website: http://presspress.it/