The Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) announced today that William Friedkin’s shockingly cool and blackly comic noir thriller KILLER JOE will be the Opening Gala at the 66th edition of the Festival on Wednesday, 20 June. The EIFF runs from 20 June to 1 July 2012.   Released in the UK by Entertainment One UK, KILLER JOE is directed by William Friedkin (THE FRENCH CONNECTION; THE EXORCIST) and stars Matthew McConaughey,    Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple, Gina Gershon a...

The Swisscom Leopard of Honour for the 62nd edition of the Locarno International Film Festival will be awarded to American director William Friedkin, and To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) starring William L. Petersen and Willem Dafoe will screen on the Piazza Grande to mark the occasion. A masterclass will also take place at the Spazio Cinema (Forum) and is open to the public. Born in 1935 in Chicago, William Friedkin made his directorial début with Good Times (1967), a musical starring Sonny & C...

Nursing a bit of a "resaca" (aka "jengober", or just plain hangover) ... after the JAMAN reception yesterday at the Hotel Londres, which has leapt to the fore as a hot contender for the unofficial "BDPW" Concha, or "Best Damn Party of the Week Award. The thing that characterized this reception -- which started at eight and went on until well after midnight -- was, understated class and a quality mix of people, exquisite "amuse-gueules" (bitey snacks or 'pintxos'), and an endless supply of tasty...