In short
Podcast Episode Notes: The Treat - The Mortician Director Joshua Rofé
Podcast Overview Podcast Title: The Treatment Podcast Description: The Treatment is a compelling podcast that dives into conversations about the catalysts of creative inspiration, featuring influential creators across various domains, including entertainment, fashion, sports, and the arts.
Episode Details Episode Title: The Treat: The Mortician Director Joshua Rofé Episode Description: Director Joshua Rofé discusses his HBO documentary series, *The Mortician*, which explores an unethical family-run funeral home. He shares his treat, the 1977 film *Sorcerer* by William Friedkin, describing it as a potentially the greatest thriller of all time.
Key Points and Themes
Joshua Rofé's Documentary Work
- The Mortician:
- An HBO docuseries centered on an unethical funeral home.
- Showcases Rofé's skill in handling complex, gritty narratives.
Tribute to *Sorcerer*
- Film Overview:
- Directed by William Friedkin, known for acclaimed films like *The French Connection* and *The Exorcist*.
- Rofé describes *Sorcerer* as an "unbelievably inspiring" film, emphasizing the importance of the theatrical experience.
- Personal Connection:
- Rofé recounts his first viewing of *Sorcerer* on the big screen, expressing that the film kept him on the edge of his seat.
- He considers it possibly the greatest thriller of all time, citing its intense atmosphere and tragic characters.
Critical Reception
- The film initially received a poor reception:
- Critically panned and commercially unsuccessful upon release.
- Friedkin felt it was his best work but faced harsh criticism.
- Reassessment over Time:
- Decades later, *Sorcerer* has been re-evaluated and recognized as a masterpiece.
- Rofé reflects on the journey of films from failure to critical acclaim and how this can serve as inspiration for creators.
Inspirational Takeaways
- Perspective on Failure:
- Rofé emphasizes that a current failure does not define future success.
- He acknowledges the challenge of creating work that reaches the heights of *Sorcerer*, but expresses a commitment to strive for excellence in his filmmaking.
Conclusion
- Joshua Rofé's reflections on *Sorcerer* serve not only as an appreciation for the film but also as a reminder of the evolving nature of artistic recognition and the importance of perseverance in the creative process.
Call to Action
- For more insights on classic films and creative inspirations, listeners are encouraged to visit the archive at [kcrw.com/the-treat](http://kcrw.com/the-treat).
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Produced by: Rebecca Mooney Mixed by: Kenny Gilchrist Host: Elvis Mitchell
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Director Joshua Raffae has shown incredible skill with his documentary work, such as the HBO docuseries on outcast and crime, The Mortician. I'm Elvis Mitchell. It's The Treat. And his treat is a William Friedkin reimagining of a classic that became a classic itself. I'm Joshua Rofay and this is The Treat.
0:28A film that I find unbelievably inspiring is William Friedkin's Sorcerer. I think the only way to see it for the first time is on the big screen. and I feel like it might be the greatest thriller of all time.
0:51I have never been on the edge of my seat to the degree that I was when I saw that film for the first time, which thankfully was on the big screen, and saw it, blown away, considered it without question a masterpiece. It's covered, okay? That's okay. Where am I going? Get a train down in Baltimore. Go to Pier 47. And at customs, ask for Nat Glick. And don't mention my name. Because as of right now, I don't know you, and I don't want to know you. I owe you a favor. This is it. You going to tell me where I'm going? I swear to God. The deck is stacked against every person on every level, including existentially.
1:34I think that is, I just think that's so interesting. You know these guys are doomed, even though you think, oh, maybe somebody's going to get away with something. Maybe somebody's going to get rich. But you just, you know, these are tragic figures. We're carrying three cases each. One is enough to blow your fire. Six cases will blow out the whole field. That means you don't think all the trucks will make it. One of us is a backup. We won't do the illegal residence, but we don't drive. And then, of course, you go and you read that it had really beyond tepid reception. It was horrible. It bombed.
2:12Critically, commercially. And he was coming off of both The French Connection and The Exorcist. And he felt like he had made his best movie yet. And he sees that this critic has absolutely destroyed his movie. And he thinks, my God, we're in trouble. And he was right.
2:41The movie tanks, and rightfully so, decades later, it is reassessed and recategorized as truly one of his masterpieces. And that is an experience that I can keep in the back of my mind and be reminded that failure now doesn't mean failure tomorrow, whatever that means to you. And I know that I'll never make a movie as good as Sorcerer, but I will die trying.
3:25Joshua Wafey, director of The Mortician, on William Friedkin's noir melodrama, Sorcerer. For more thoughts on classics and other inspirations, check out the archive, kcrw.com slash the treat. Rebecca Mooney produces and Kenny Gilchrist mixes the treat. I'm Elvis Mitchell.
4:06you
From the publisher
Director Joshua Rofé’s unforgettable HBO documentary series The Mortician, about an unethical family-run funeral home, left its mark on audiences. For his treat, Rofé pays tribute to the underrated 1977 William Friedkin film, Sorcerer. Rofé recalls his first time watching it in a theater and breaks down why it’s possibly the best thriller of all time.