Watch Sex and Broadcasting: A Film About WFMU

Sex and Broadcasting: A Film About WFMU is a captivating documentary about the legendary and groundbreaking New Jersey-based radio station of the same name. The film, which was directed by Tim K. Smith, explores the history, culture, and influence of WFMU, known for its irreverent programming and its commitment to independent music.

The documentary features interviews with a number of notable WFMU figures, including station manager Ken Freedman, who has been with WFMU for over 35 years. Freedman is seen as the heart and soul of the station, and it is through his leadership that the station has remained a beacon of independent broadcasting for so many years.

In addition to Freedman, the film features interviews with a number of musicians, comedians, and cultural figures who have been influenced by WFMU. These include Patton Oswalt, Adam Horovitz (better known as Ad-Rock of the Beastie Boys), Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth, and Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons.

Throughout the film, we see how WFMU has evolved over the years since it first went on the air in 1958. Originally a college radio station, WFMU became independently owned and operated in the 1970s. Since then, it has been at the forefront of experimental and alternative broadcasting, breaking new ground with its eclectic and unconventional programming.

The documentary does an excellent job of capturing the spirit and energy of the station, which is renowned for its willingness to take risks and push boundaries. We see how WFMU has given a platform to marginalized voices, from underground musicians to political dissidents, and how it has served as a hub for creative collaboration and community building.

One of the primary themes that emerges from Sex and Broadcasting is the idea of radio as a form of resistance. In an age when corporate media dominates the airwaves, WFMU represents a throwback to an earlier era, when radio was more personal, more diverse, and more subversive. For many of the artists and activists featured in the film, WFMU is seen as a refuge from the homogenized culture of corporate media, where creativity and experimentation are stifled in the pursuit of profit.

At the same time, the film also acknowledges the challenges that WFMU has faced over the years. While the station has remained fiercely independent, it has also had to grapple with financial struggles and other obstacles that have threatened to silence it for good. The film strikes a balance between celebrating WFMU's accomplishments and acknowledging the fragility of its continued existence.

Overall, Sex and Broadcasting: A Film About WFMU is a deeply engaging and thought-provoking documentary that will appeal to anyone with an interest in independent media, alternative music, or the history of broadcasting. It offers a vivid portrait of a unique cultural institution that has defied the odds to remain a vital force in the world of radio for over half a century.

Sex and Broadcasting: A Film About WFMU is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes.