Bryant Park’s Reading Room Hosts Reel Talks: The World of Black Film

Join us at Bryant Park’s Reading Room on Monday, August 10, from 12:30–1:30 PM for a special Reel Talks conversation exploring The World of Black Film and the history of Black cinema around the globe. On select weekdays from 12:30–1:30 PM, Reel Talks invites audiences behind the scenes of cinema, examining iconic films, filmmakers, and the creative vision that has shaped movie history. This free event features author Ashley Clark, Curatorial Director at the Criterion Collection, in conversation with film connoisseur Scott Adlerberg about Clark’s latest book, The World of Black Film: A Journey Through Cinematic Blackness in 100 Films. Spanning more than a century of filmmaking across 30 countries, this engaging discussion explores the groundbreaking artists, influential works, and hidden gems that have shaped Black cinema, from early silent films to contemporary masterpieces.

The Reading Room at Bryant Park is a free, open-air literary oasis in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Open daily from 11 AM to 7 PM through October, it offers a thoughtfully curated selection of books, newspapers, and magazines for visitors to enjoy on the lawn beneath its signature yellow umbrellas or shaded trees. Now through September, the Reading Room offers a lineup of weekly literary programming, including author talks, poetry readings, film discussions, book clubs, and children’s StoryTime.