Watch Radio Unnameable

Radio Unnameable, directed by Paul Lovelace and Jessica Wolfson, is an engaging documentary that details the rise of free-form radio in New York City during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Focusing on the life and work of underground DJ and cultural activist Bob Fass, the film showcases the profound impact that his overnight radio show, "Radio Unnameable," had on the city's counterculture and social movements.

Told through a combination of archival footage, sit-down interviews, and on-air recordings, the film takes the audience on a journey through the turbulent and transformative years of the late 1960s, as Fass and his co-hosts broadcast from the legendary WBAI-FM radio station. As one of the few radio stations that allowed for uncensored and unscripted programming, WBAI quickly became a hub for local activists, artists, and musicians who were looking for a platform to share their message with a wider audience.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is the way that it captures the energy and spirit of the era. From anti-war protests to civil rights demonstrations, Fass and his fellow DJs were at the forefront of the most significant social and political movements of the time. Their show provided a form of community radio that was unapologetically left-wing, featuring interviews with Black Panthers, Yippies, and other radical activists.

The film also provides an intimate look into Bob Fass's life outside of the radio station. We see him attending poetry readings, participating in street theater, and even hosting a ragtag Thanksgiving dinner for his friends and listeners. Through interviews with Fass's family members and colleagues, we get a sense of the personal toll that his work took on him, as he struggled with addiction, health problems, and the pressure of maintaining a 28-hour-a-week radio show.

Despite these challenges, Fass remained committed to his vision of radio as a democratizing force that could bring together people from all walks of life. The film culminates with the historic 1971 May Day protests, which saw Fass broadcasting live from Washington, D.C., as hundreds of thousands of anti-war protestors descended on the nation's capital.

Throughout the film, we also hear from an impressive roster of guest appearances, including musicians like Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, and Arlo Guthrie, as well as cultural figures like Allen Ginsberg and Robert Downey Sr. These interviews provide context and commentary on the cultural significance of the radio show, and the ways in which it paved the way for future forms of alternative media.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Radio Unnameable is the way that it serves as a time capsule of sorts, offering a glimpse into a moment in American history that still feels incredibly relevant today. As the film suggests, the lessons of the 1960s and '70s are still being felt in our current political moment, with activists and journalists alike drawing inspiration from the era of community radio and alternative media.

Overall, Radio Unnameable is a joyous and inspiring documentary that celebrates the power of radio to bring people together and effect real social change. For anyone interested in the history of media, or in the counterculture of the late 1960s and early 1970s, this film is a must-see.

Radio Unnameable is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 72.