简介：BarneyRossetisoneofthegreatunsungheroesinpost-warAmerica’sbattleforfreeexpression.AspublisherofGrovePressandtheEvergreenReview,hechallengedobscenitybansagainstLadyChatterley’sLover,TropicofCancer,NakedLunchandmore,repeatedlyriskinghiscompanyoncourtbattles.HisliteraryandpoliticalinstinctsledhimtopublishworksasdiverseasSamuelBeckett’sWaitingforGodotandTheAutobiographyofMalcolmX.HisloveoffilmspurredhimtoproduceStrangeVictory,a1948documentaryaboutpost-warracism.Later,hefoughtcensorsasfarastheSupremeCourttodistributetherisqué1967SwedishfilmIAmCurious(Yellow). First-timedirectorsNeilOrtenbergandDanielO’ConnortakeusonathrillingtripthroughRosset’scrusades.Theyuncoversomewonderfularchivalmaterial:16mmfootageRossetshotasanArmycameramanintheSecondWorldWar;ZeroMostelandBurgessMeredithperforminginatelevisedWaitingforGodot;GeraldForddenouncingtheEvergreenReview.Thefilm’sjazzygraphicsrecalltheflairofGrovePress’smemorablecoverdesigns. Goingstronginhiseighties,Rossetgivesdelightfullyfrankinterviews.FriendsandcolleaguesweighinwithequalcandourasdosuchwitnessestothetimesasEricaJong,JimCarrollandJohnWaters.ThefilmispackedwithculturalhistoryrevelationsandRosset’sequallycompellingpersonalhistory.Hislifewasradicalfromanearlyage.AtanexperimentalChicagohighschoolinthethirties,Rosset’steacherarrangedforhimtolosehisvirginitytoanotherstudent;healsopublishedaschoolpaper,Anti-Everything,withclassmateHaskellWexler(whowentontoacareerasanAcademyAward®-winningcinematographer).Asacollegefreshman,hewroteapaperabouthisliteraryhero–presaginghisdefenceofTropicofCancer–called“HenryMillervs.OurWayofLife.” ScrewpublisherAlGoldsteincallsRossetthe“mostfucked-upbusinessmaninallofAmerica.”Borntoawealthybanker,Rossetspentallhismoneyonhispassions.Ultimately,hesoldoffhundredsofacresintheHamptonsuntilhewasleftwithverylittleandlostcontrolofGrovePress.Nowthat’sobscene.Buthemaintainsawarmoutlook,describinghiscareeras“theartofnourishingtheaccidental.”…