Watch Bright Lights, Brilliant Minds: A Tale of Three Cities

Bright Lights, Brilliant Minds: A Tale of Three Cities is a fascinating three-part documentary series that takes us on a journey of discovery through three of the cultural capitals of the 20th century: Vienna, Paris, and New York. Presented by James Fox, a respected art historian and writer, the show explores how these cities were shaped by the artistic and intellectual movements that emerged from them, and how they, in turn, influenced the rest of the world.

Each episode focuses on a different city and a different period of history. The first episode, "Vienna: The Dream City," looks at the city's golden age in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when it was a hub of artistic, literary, and philosophical activity. Vienna was the birthplace of psychoanalysis, thanks to the work of Sigmund Freud, and was also home to a remarkable group of artists who created the Vienna Secession, a radical movement that sought to break away from the traditional art forms of the past. The film takes us on a tour of the city's stunning architecture, including the famous Secession building, and explores the work of famous Viennese artists such as Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. The episode also delves into the political and social turmoil of the era, including the rise of anti-Semitism and the outbreak of World War I.

The second episode, "Paris: The Luminous Years," focuses on the interwar period in Paris, when the city was a magnet for artists and intellectuals from all over the world. Paris was the birthplace of surrealism, thanks to the work of Andre Breton and others, and was also home to the famous "Lost Generation" of American writers, such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Through interviews with experts and archive footage, the film explores the heady atmosphere of the time, when anything seemed possible, and nothing was considered too outrageous or avant-garde. We see the work of famous artists such as Picasso and Braque, and also learn about lesser-known figures such as photographer Dora Maar and composer Edgard Varese.

The final episode, "New York: Cosmopolis," takes us to the postwar period in New York, when the city emerged as a global superpower and the center of the art world. The film explores how American art became the dominant force in the world, thanks to the Abstract Expressionist movement, which included famous artists such as Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. We also see the rise of Pop Art, with the work of artists like Andy Warhol, and the birth of minimalism and conceptual art. The episode also explores how the city's cultural diversity influenced the art world, with the work of artists such as the Cuban-American Ana Mendieta and the African-American Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Throughout the series, James Fox provides an engaging and informative commentary on the cities and the art movements that emerged from them. He interviews experts in the fields of art, literature, and philosophy, and also visits key locations, such as museums and galleries, to provide a rich and varied portrait of each city. He also explores the social and political context of each era, providing a deeper understanding of how the art movements of the time were shaped by the events and ideas of the day.

Overall, Bright Lights, Brilliant Minds: A Tale of Three Cities is an illuminating and entertaining documentary series that will appeal to anyone with an interest in art, culture, and history. Whether you are a seasoned art lover or a curious beginner, this series will provide a fascinating insight into three of the most important and influential cities of the 20th century, and the artistic and intellectual movements that emerged from them.