BBC Arena Preview: The New York Review of Books – A 50 Year Argument + Q&A

This screening will be followed by a Q&A with Anthony Wall, series editor of BBC Arena.

Acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese and his longtime documentary collaborator David Tedeschi pay homage to a 20th century American institution: The New York Review of Books. Since its founding over 50 years ago during the New York City newspaper strike of 1963, America’s leading journal of ideas has pursued its goal with rigour, a unique style and more than its share of controversy.

Confrontation and enlightened debate are both singled out as the Review‘s key virtues. The film weaves rarely seen archival material, interviews and excerpts from writings by such icons as James Baldwin, Gore Vidal and Joan Didion. These scenes reflect the humming and restless energy of a magazine that still feels as vital as its indefatigable founding editor, Robert Silvers.

Directed by Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi
Duration: 95’
Year: 2014

This screening is in partnership with BBC Arena, the BBC’s multi award winning arts programme.