William Friedkin, ooh la la!
August 9, 2007

This week, the French government named filmmaker William Friedkin an “Officier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres (offier, Order of Arts and Letters)," an award that recognizes eminent artists and those

While it’s certainly notable be singled out for this award—the only other previously honored American filmmakers include Robert Redford, Clint Eastwood, Gordon Parks and Mel Brooks—one must consider the credibility of an honor that’s also been bestowed upon such “artists” as Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone, Jude Law, Celine Dione, Danielle Steel, Vangelis and Supertramp!!

We’re gonna make an assumption that the Ministry of Culture and Communication of France was honoring the outstanding Friedkin of The French Connection, The Exorcist, To Live and Die in L.A. and The Boys in the Band fame and not the guy who threw together such turkeys as Deal of the Century, Jade and The Hunted. Between those two groups lays one of Friedkin’s most controversial films, Cruising, a deluxe edition of which will be issued by Warner on Sept. 18

“I’m deeply honored to receive this award,” Friedkin stated after learning of the distinction. “Simply, because of the profound influence French cinema has had on all the filmmakers of my generation.”

Hey, speaking of French cinema, Friedkin’s 1977 thriller Sorcerer, an underrated remake of the great French auteur H.G. Clouzot’s The Wages of Fear, was issued on DVD back in 1998 and is really ripe for a re-mastered digital special edition.

Is anybody here or in France listening?!

Posted by Laurence Lerman on August 9, 2007 | Comments (1)