The New Yorker at 100 Comes to Netflix
The New Yorker at 100, a new documentary available on Netflix, delves into the rich history and cultural impact of the iconic publication as it celebrates its centenary this year. Directed by Marshall Curry, the film takes viewers behind the scenes to witness how the magazine’s hundredth-anniversary issue was created, while also exploring defining themes from each of its ten decades.
From John Hersey’s groundbreaking “Hiroshima” in 1946 to Rachel Carson’s influential “Silent Spring” in the sixties, the documentary delves into the impact of key articles and the evolution of the publication over the past century. The film offers a blend of contemporary insights and historical context, providing a unique perspective on The New Yorker’s enduring legacy.
During a première screening at the New Yorker Festival, Curry and Judd Apatow, an executive producer of the film, discussed the challenges of condensing a century’s worth of content into a ninety-minute film. Despite the vast amount of material to cover, the filmmakers selected key historical events and stories that resonated with the magazine’s cultural impact, creating a compact yet compelling narrative.
Approaching the archive, the team focused on iconic stories that have shaped The New Yorker’s identity over the years. By selecting visually engaging stories that had left a mark on both the magazine and broader history, the filmmakers aimed to create a visually captivating documentary that would resonate with audiences.
While the scope of the project was daunting, Curry and Apatow’s careful curation and storytelling prowess resulted in a documentary that offers a glimpse into The New Yorker’s storied past and enduring legacy. With a blend of contemporary interviews and archival footage, “The New Yorker at 100” serves as a love letter to a publication that has defined American culture for a century.
