Few 20th century American writers had the wide-ranging influence of Tom Wolfe. Don’t believe that? Well, here comes a new doc about the writer and New Journalism pioneer that proves that point, and it hits NYC/LA theaters next month before opening wide later this year.
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Richard Dewey‘s “Radical Wolfe” charts the life and career of Wolfe, including his most famous books like “The Right Stuff,” “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test,” and “The Bonfire Of The Vanities.” Dewey bases his doc on the Vanity Fair article by Michael Lewis.
Here’s an official synopsis of “Radical Wolfe,” courtesy of Kino Lorber:
From a beat reporter at the Washington Post to an overnight sensation as the leader of the New Journalism movement, Tom Wolfe was at the forefront of reshaping how American stories are told. Recognizing the importance of cared subcultures and communities, Wolfe documented everything from rural stock car drivers to hippies in Haight Ashbury to the Apollo Astronauts, and his ability to bridge cultural and class divides while tackling stories central to American life was unique in fiction and non-fiction. With a distinctive and oft-imitated style all his own, Wolfe’s body of work includes some of the most memorable and culturally impactful stories of the 20th century like The Right Stuff, The Bonfire of the Vanities, and The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.
“Radical Wolfe” features conversations and interviews with those who knew Wolfe best, including Lewis, Gay Talese, Lynn Nesbit, Terry McDonell, Tom Junod, Christopher Buckley, Niall Ferguson, and Alexandra Wolfe. The doc also features readings of Wolfe’s work by Jon Hamm.
The theatrical run for “Radical Wolfe” starts in NYC on September 15 at IFC Center, and then its LA rollout begins on September 22 at the Laemmle Royal. The doc then has a nationwide rollout, dates yet to be announced. Take a look at a trailer for “Radical Wolfe” below.
