[BD Interview] ‘The Exorcist’ Director William Friedkin On Avoiding Formula, And The Studios, In His New Movie ‘Killer Joe’
In theaters today from LD Entertainment is Killer Joe, an insanely fun and disturbing movie directed by the man behind The French Connection, The Exorcist, Sorcerer, To Live And Die In LA and Bug – William Friedkin. The film stars Matthew McConaughey, Juno Temple, Thomas Haden Church and Gina Gershon and is based on a play by Pulitzer and Tony Award winner Tracy Letts.
I recently spoke with Friedkin about crafting Joe, his sixteenth film, and his decision to make it outside of the studio system. We also talk about the film business in general and which of today’s filmmakers he finds inspiring. Oh, and he also weighs in on the futility of even comparing movies like Citizen Kane and Vertigo. It’s a long interview (we even talk Near Dark) but, when you get a chance to speak to someone with this kind of body of work, you want to go for the big picture.
“When 22-year-old Chris (Emile Hirsch) finds himself in debt to a drug lord, he hires a hit man to dispatch his mother, whose $50,000 life insurance policy benefits his sister Dottie (Juno Temple). Chris finds Joe Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), a creepy, crazy Dallas cop who moonlights as a contract killer. When Chris can’t pay Joe upfront, Joe sets his sight on Dottie as collateral for the job. The contract killer and his hostage develop an unusual bond. Like from a modern-day, twisted fairy tale, “Killer Joe” Cooper becomes the prince to Dottie’s Cinderella.”
Killer Joe opens today in select cities. Head inside for the interview. Spoilers ahead. READ MORE
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