Martin Scorsese Presents Current Film as "Work In Progress"

Martin Scorsese at 64th Berlin Film Festival

"Untitled New York Review Of Books Documentary" directed by Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi was presented on February 14th at the 64th Berlinale Special, where it was shown as a work in progress, followed by a discussion with the filmmakers and key contributors.

"For over 50 years, 'The New York Review of Books' has been one of the most interesting and sophisticated magazines on culture and politics, with content by outstanding writers and thinkers. In their wonderful documentary, Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi reveal the inner workings of the publication and its legendary editor, from its birth during the 1963 New York Times’ newspaper strike, through its continued relevance in today’s digital universe. We're very pleased that we'll be closing this year's Berlinale Special with this highlight," says Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick.

Robert Silvers in Untitled New York Review Of Books Documentary

From the outset, the publication has been ahead of the mainstream thinking on political and social currents and upheavals. NYREV has been a source for intelligent and controversial thinking about the issues of our time: human rights, racial discrimination, the wars in Vietnam and Iraq, the woman’s movement, and revolution in Eastern Europe and elsewhere. Making use of rare footage and photographs to provide historical context, the film includes writers like James Baldwin, Susan Sontag, Noam Chomsky and Norman Mailer; along with new footage of Joan Didion, Michael Chabon, Mary Beard, and Timothy Garton Ash; giving us a portrait of a magazine that has been on the vanguard of provocative ideas and commentary for over 50 years.

Academy Award winner and four-time Golden Globe winner Martin Scorsese has been a frequent guest at the Berlinale, including in 2010 with "Shutter Island" and in 2008 with "Shine A Light" in the Competition programme. Scorsese’s frequent documentary collaborators, David Tedeschi (co-director) and Margaret Bodde (producer), also attended, along with the NYREV’ editor, Robert Silvers and publisher, Rea Hederman.

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