Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist

Jean-Luc Godard used to say that all you need to make a movie is a girl and a gun. Alexandre O. Philippe one-ups the master, proving that all he needs is William Friedkin in an armchair. In Leap of Faith, the director of The Exorcist offers more than just a collection of behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the making of the cult horror classic. Richly illustrated with movie clips, Friedkin’s narrative mesmerizingly blends filmmaking masterclass, public confession, and timeless fable about an outsider overcoming adversities to achieve unexpected success. Philippe’s documentary captivates not only through its compelling content but also thanks to Friedkin’s emotional delivery coupling youthful enthusiasm with genuine emotion. The protagonist’s charisma would not resonate so powerfully, however, were it not for Philippe’s discreet direction. Though he prefers to stay in the background, appearing on screen only briefly, he remains an éminence grise, giving Friedkin’s reflections dynamic rhythm and shaping them into an elegant whole. Thus, Leap of Faith transcends the familiar story of a master and his disciple, becoming a record of an encounter between two artists and true cinephiles.