Where I Stand: The Hank Greenspun Story

Summary

“Nobody has ever accused me of being shy or humble – it would be hypocritical for me to start now.”

”Where I Stand” chronicles the epic life of rogue newspaperman Hank Greenspun. From his entanglements with legendary mobster “Bugsy” Siegel to smuggling guns for the Haganah - using the basement of the Copacabana as a warehouse no less - Greenspun’s life is full of colourful characters, unfolding onscreen with the gritty allure of a Martin Scorcese film. Beyond hobnobbing with Frank Sinatra and making business deals with Howard Hughes, Greenspun publicly sparred with Senator McCarthy via his infamous column “Where I Stand”, was a key figure in Israeli politics, and played an instrumental role in the exposure of Watergate.

With such a riveting life story it would be easy enough to, in Greenspun’s words, “let the facts speak for themselves” but Director Scott Goldstein creates an aesthetic experience that matches the energy of Greenspun’s life. Nostalgic photos, live footage, revealing interviews and rare diary excerpts read by Anthony Hopkins, provide intimate insight into one of the most fascinating and audacious figures of our time. The images onscreen pulsate to the perfect musical score, re-creating the gaudy vintage glamour of the sun-bathed Las Vegas strip in its golden years.

RATED: G (coarse language, violence)