An intimate portrait of a fiercely independent Hollywood star who left it all behind to live life on her own terms, revealing a haunting, resilient journey of art, identity, and authenticity in the shadow of one of cinema’s most iconic roles.

COMING SOON

STORY 

At 92, Kim Novak remains one of Hollywood’s most enduring enigmas - a luminous star who, at the peak of her fame, turned her back on the spotlight to embrace a life of self-expression and authenticity. Once the top box office draw in the world, she rebelled against the studio system and the confines of celebrity, choosing individuality over image, and art over artifice.

KIM NOVAK’S VERTIGO is a lyrical and intimate portrait, blending rare archival footage with deeply personal reflections and vivid glimpses into Kim’s reclusive life. While Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo remains her most iconic role, the film explores how that performance - and the duality it captured - mirrors the ongoing tension between image and identity that shaped Kim’s life. As she revisits fragments of her past a deeper story emerges: one of defiance, reinvention, and the quiet power of a woman who walked away from fame to remain true to herself.

FILMMAKER

A 3-time Sundance Film Festival alum, Alexandre O. Philippe has developed his own brand of “cinema essay,” exploring the art of filmmaking and its practitioners. Most of his films take on the role of unpacking the most influential works of master filmmakers, and dissecting seminal screen moments. Selected past works include: You Can Call Me Bill (SXSW ‘23), Lynch/Oz (Tribeca '22), Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on the Exorcist(Venice ’19, Sundance ‘20), Memory: The Origins of Alien (Sundance ’19), 78/52 (Sundance ’17), Doc of the Dead (SXSW’14), and The People vs. George Lucas (SXSW ’10). His latest film, Chain Reactions, won the prestigious Venice Classics Lion at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival, and will be released theatrically in North America in the Fall. Alexandre is currently working on multiple feature documentaries about cinema, and Kim Novak's Vertigo is set to premiere in Venice in August.

REVIEWS

“Unapologetic and, right from the start, impressively unfiltered.” - Deadline

“Engaging, fluid portrait of an inspiring woman” - Screen International

“Simply constructed, with no agenda more important than simply letting its subject talk and eagerly listening in, Philippe’s enjoyably besotted film is inclined to agree.”[…] “One of the Last Living Legends of Hollywood’s Golden Age Has Plenty Still to Say for Herself” - Variety

★★★★ “Delivers showstopping moments for fans of the golden age of movies […..] A very watchable and pleasurable film.”- The Guardian

“That Novak’s contributions haven’t always been properly acknowledged makes “Kim Novak’s Vertigo” particularly poignant and Philippe offers a strong corrective.”- The Moveable Fest

“enthralling, illuminating and warm-hearted examination of the life and work of actress and artist Kim Novak” - Business Doc Europe

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