I have a new piece up @thenation.com on Billy Wilder, the Holocaust, survivor's guilt, and confronting the limits of Zionism. www.thenation.com/article/cult...
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Having just read “The Director,” Daniel Kehlmann’s novel based on the life of G.W. Pabst, it’s fascinating to see the inverse trajectory of Billy Wilder’s career. Really nicely done!
aug 18, 2025, 11:09 pm • 2 0 • view
An extraordinary essay. So honored to be included.
aug 20, 2025, 2:46 am • 1 0 • view
And thank you – it was a pleasure reading your book on Wilder.
aug 20, 2025, 3:30 am • 1 0 • view
Thanks, Ben!
aug 20, 2025, 6:29 pm • 0 0 • view
Dam that is powerful. Nice post, thank you.
aug 18, 2025, 10:02 pm • 2 0 • view
Excellent article, such a pleasure to read! I keep wondering what a Billy Wilder version of Schindler's List would have been like.
aug 19, 2025, 6:45 am • 3 0 • view
Superb writing. Thanks, Ben.
aug 18, 2025, 8:23 pm • 3 0 • view
Coming from you, that's much appreciated! Thank you!
aug 18, 2025, 8:27 pm • 3 0 • view
Oh, you! Seriously though. Really great. I’ve so many books by, about, and interviews with, Wilder, that is was lovely to see your new insights.
aug 18, 2025, 8:37 pm • 4 0 • view
What a great article! Stays with you, there’s so much wisdom and wit in these few pages. Go read it!
aug 19, 2025, 7:53 pm • 2 0 • view
"When you talk to the average American, or to your non-Jewish wife, you feel disappointment, you sense their apprehension that the state, which always looked brilliant and sophisticated, is sinking into some kind of fanatical aggression, a cycle of an eye for an eye.” –Wilder on the Siege of Beirut.
aug 21, 2025, 11:33 pm • 7 0 • view
And thank you @jonathancoe.bsky.social, @noahisenberg.bsky.social, @gkevinlally.bsky.social, and @pbdiamond.bsky.social for your interview time and insights into Wilder's life and work.
aug 18, 2025, 7:08 pm • 13 0 • view
Your piece is fantastic @benschwartz.bsky.social
aug 18, 2025, 7:20 pm • 2 0 • view
And thank you, with much gratitude, to my editor, @chrislehmann.bsky.social.
aug 18, 2025, 7:42 pm • 4 0 • view
!!!
aug 19, 2025, 11:28 pm • 0 0 • view
This was brilliantly written & immensely moving. Thank you. If you’ve not previously come across it, you might be interested in Kevin Macdonald’s book about his grandfather, Emeric Pressburger. There’s a passage where Wilder & Pressburger meet in London & discuss their shared survivor’s guilt. 💔
aug 19, 2025, 10:27 am • 1 0 • view
I didn't even know about this - thanks!
aug 19, 2025, 2:42 pm • 0 0 • view
My pleasure! They worked together in Berlin & again in Paris before Wilder made it to the U.S. & Pressburger made it to the UK & to Michael Powell. Macdonald’s book is well worth your time if you can find a copy.
aug 19, 2025, 2:52 pm • 2 0 • view
Fascinating piece
aug 18, 2025, 7:54 pm • 1 0 • view
Fantastic piece. Well done.
aug 19, 2025, 1:35 pm • 2 0 • view
Terrific article through and through!
aug 21, 2025, 12:28 am • 1 0 • view
📌
aug 18, 2025, 10:26 pm • 2 0 • view