Remember Jayson Blair, the then 27-year-old New York Times national reporter who destroyed his career in a stunning revelation of pilfered material and outright fabrication, in 2003?
A feature documentary that digs into what was one of the most embarrassing moments in the history of the venerable newspaper, will make its New York premier at DOC NYC, New York’s premier documentary festival, which returns for its 4th year, starting today, November 14, running through November 21.
Directed by Samantha Grant and titled A Fragile Trust: Plagiarism, Power, and Jayson Blair at the New York Times, the film’s synopsis reads:
In 2003, it was revealed that New York Times reporter Jayson Blair was a plagiarist, regularly cobbling together his articles from others found on the Internet or otherwise fabricating facts. This precipitated the lowest point in the Grey Lady’s history, leading to an editorial regime change, resignations, and a review of hiring practices. Samantha Grant goes straight to the source, securing interviews with Blair and his former colleagues to reveal the complex interplay of power, race, ambition and competition at the heart of the story.
It’ll screen at DOC NYC just once, unfortunately, this Saturday, November 16, 2013, at 7pm, at IFC Center in Greenwich Village.
The showing is said to be sold out, however, a limited number of tickets may be released 15 minutes before showtime on a first come, first served basis to those in the “Rush Line.”
Zeba is covering the festival for S&A, and this is on her short list of films to see and review.
Watch the trailer below: