The Devil And Father Amorth (William Friedkin doc about an exorcist)

[Hoke Moseley]

William “Billy” Friedkin’s documentary about exorcism, The Devil and Father Amorth, which has him witnessing first-hand the work of the Vatican’s in-house exorcist, was acquired by LD Entertainment who will work with ICM Partners to enter into partnerships to distribute the film worldwide.

Friedkin, of course, directed the screen adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist in 1973 which had moviegoers lining up around the block to see it. The documentary looks at how the exorcism in the movie compares to a real exorcism. The film’s title comes from the filmmaker’s ability to attend Father Gabiele Amorth’s ninth exorcism — it took place with an Italian woman who had been experiencing behavioral changes and “fits” that could not be explained by psychiatry; they became worse during Christian holidays.

Known as the “Dean of exorcists,” Father Amorth performed thousands of these rituals to rid evil from the human body. On the Italian woman, Father Amorth and the demon inside the woman began conversing in Latin, a language that the woman did not know. The priest has since died (at the age of 91).

“This film really shook me to the core,” Liddell told Deadline. “It made me wonder if this is possible, demonic possessions.”

Added Friedkin in a statement: “I never stopped being fascinated by the nature of good and evil and the possibility of demonic possession. The opportunity for me to witness and film an actual exorcism came about more than four decades after I made The Exorcist completely by accident.” The filmmaker is in post on the documentary now.

Source

Didn't know anything about this. Glad Friedkin's doing something, and this definitely sounds interesting.

[Cremildo]

It's been acquired by The Orchard for theatrical release.

[Hoke Moseley]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

It's been acquired by The Orchard for theatrical release.

Excellent news. Hope it turns out good.

Also, in more Friedkin-related news.... John Cusack said on twitter that he may be working with old Billy in the near future... hmmm.

[Cremildo]

Originally Posted by Hoke Moseley

John Cusack said on twitter that he may be working with old Billy in the near future... hmmm.

Frankie Machine?

[Hoke Moseley]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

Frankie Machine?

Even though I'll forever be pissed that Frankie Machine wasn't a De Niro vehicle directed by Scorsese or Michael Mann ten-ish years ago, I'm still desperate for it to be made.

Friedkin mentioned McConaughey or Walton Goggins for the role a few years back (both are waaaaaaaay wrong for the part), so I wouldn't be surprised if Cusack might be circling it as well. He's still wrong, but I won't judge it until I see it.

[Cremildo]

[Hoke Moseley]

Cool poster. Looks like a book cover.

[Hoke Moseley]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVoL...ature=youtu.be

[Cremildo]

First reviews aren't so hot

[Hoke Moseley]

Looks like it's going VOD next Tuesday.

[yellowcakeuf6]

This starts off interesting enough, but the exorcism features sounds coming from the victim that are undoubtedly effected in a very Hollywood way, and they lost me there. The rest is Friedkin, seemingly against medical opinion (he asked), to be looking for a way around their medical findings back to the spiritual one he wants.

[GasmaskAvenger]

Just watched it on Netflix.

Not a shabby way to burn 70 minutes, though some of it gets pretty goofy.

[thisis2]

..in my opinion medical findings don't have the answers for a lot of things (in fact the third highest cause of death in the United States are deaths caused by side effects of medications )....Father Amorth was a dedicated professional exorcist who handled thousands of exorcisms in his lifetime and he was able to distinguish between hysteria caused cases and true possession which , in his experienced and knowledgeable view , was a fact..

..indeed there is a neuroloigist in this docudrama who states that he cannot explain the gutteral voice and strength of the possessed woman and that he cannot rule out the spiritual answer...