Extraordinary Films & Excellent Directors: "News of the World"

Extraordinary Films & Excellent Directors is a film series that will explore phenomenal films and their creators. After viewing each film, you're invited to talk with film lecturer, Richard Frostig.

About the Film

One of Richard's favorite genres is the Western. As Wall Street Journal critic Terry Teachout put it so well a couple of years ago that “an important reason for the survival of the Western is that it has proved to be adaptable to changing times and sensibilities.” Which is why Richard chose "News of the World" (2020) starring Tom Hanks to represent Western filmmaking. The story is about a Civil War veteran who agrees to deliver a girl, taken by the Kiowa people years ago, to her aunt and uncle, against her will. They travel hundreds of miles and face grave dangers as they search for a place that either can call home. The film pays wonderful homage to the Westerns of yesteryear.

About the Presenter

Richard M. Frostig has had a life-long interest in film beginning with film school in his early 20s and culminating with his receiving a second M.A. degree from New York University in Cinema Studies. His first Master’s degree was in Journalism.

In between, Frostig has had a successful 13-year career in broadcast journalism, and then, more than a 20-year career as a Public Relations executive and freelance consultant. In 2017, Frostig taught an introductory film course as an Adjunct Professor of Film at Western Connecticut University.

He received a B.A. in English from the University of Massachusetts-Boston. In addition, he holds a Certificate in Filmmaking from the London Film School in England. A native of Boston, Frostig resides in Wilton, Conn.