Any magazine that has published continuously for a century and a half deserves to be celebrated. Oscar-winning director Barbara Kopple's documentary gives The Nation due recognition, presenting an “authorized” biography of the publication, starting with a montage of covers from 1865 onwards and tracing its evolution from a mouthpiece for Republican abolitionists to a periodical that embraced the New Deal and has ever since supported liberal causes. Extensive interviews with past and present staff (including long-time editor Katrina vanden Heuvel and emeritus editor Victor Navasky) are coupled with comments from fans such as Bill Moyers and Rachel Maddow, along with amusing footage addressing the difficulty of financing a magazine that eschews advertising revenue (including an archival clip in which Paul Newman complains about how Navasky cajoled him into becoming a regular source of funds). One of the points repeatedly made is how the magazine's editorial practices allow for long-term and intensive coverage of stories, with examples cited here including the recall election of Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, and an investigation of post-earthquake aid efforts in Haiti. Viewers will also witness a lot of behind-the-scenes footage of editorial meetings and debates about headlines and layout, as well as conversations with devoted and enthusiastic interns. Hot Type carries not a hint of criticism of The Nation—except for a comic put-down by Stephen Colbert—but this is a justifiably admiring portrait of a venerable journal of reporting and opinion. Extras include deleted scenes. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
Hot Type: 150 Years of The Nation
(2015) 93 min. DVD: $24.95. First Run Features (avail. from most distributors). Volume 32, Issue 1
Hot Type: 150 Years of The Nation
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: