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 solitude, self-expression, and authenticity. Once the top box office draw in the world, she defied the expectations of the studio system and the confines of celebrity, choosing individuality over image, and art over artifice.

The film is a lyrical and intimate portrait of a woman who refused to be remade by the industry that sought to define her. Blending rare archival footage with deeply personal reflections and vivid glimpses into her reclusive life, the film traces her extraordinary path – from mid-century icon to fiercely private artist.

“After watching the film, I am so thankful to Alexandre for having taken this journey and telling my story… It is complicated and beautiful – all at the same time!” (Kim Novak)

Alexandre O. Philippe holds an Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Writing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and is Creative Director at Exhibit A Pictures. Throughout a body of work that includes DOC OF THE DEAD and 78/52: HITCHCOCK’S SHOWER SCENE, he has developed his own brand of “cinema essay”, exploring the art of filmmaking and its filmmakers. His film CHAIN REACTIONS will be released theatrically in North America in the fall 2025. Currently, he is working on multiple feature documentaries about cinema. KIM NOVAK’S VERTIGO premiered in Venice in 2025.

Filmography (selection): 2014 DOC OF THE DEAD, 2017 78/52: HITCHCOCK’S SHOWER SCENE, 2019 LEAP OF FAITH: WILLIAM FRIEDKIN ON THE EXORCIST, 2021 THE TAKING, 2022 LYNCH/OZ, 2024 CHAIN REACTIONS, 2025 KIM NOVAK’S VERTIGO