Jonathan Rosenbaum

Jonathan Rosenbaum is a distinguished American film critic, essayist, and author whose work has shaped modern film scholarship. As the chief film critic for The Chicago Reader from 1987 to 2008, Rosenbaum became known for his incisive analyses and global perspective on cinema. His contributions to prominent publications such as Cahiers du Cinéma, Film Comment, and Sight & Sound cemented his reputation as one of the most influential critics of his time. Early in his career, Rosenbaum worked in Paris with Jacques Tati, contributed to The Village Voice, and appeared as an extra in Robert Bresson’s Four Nights of a Dreamer. These formative experiences deepened his commitment to international cinema and introduced him to influential voices like Manny Farber, who profoundly shaped his critical philosophy.

A prolific author, Rosenbaum has written extensively on filmmakers such as Abbas Kiarostami, Orson Welles, and Jim Jarmusch. His notable works include Movie Wars: How Hollywood and the Media Limit What Movies We Can See, Essential Cinema: On the Necessity of Film Canons, and Discovering Orson Welles. He has also contributed to key restorations, including Welles’s Touch of Evil and The Other Side of the Wind. Known for championing underrepresented voices, Rosenbaum curated an “Alternative Top 100” list to spotlight lesser-known masterpieces, alongside his celebrated annual “best films” lists. His criticism, often focusing on the cultural and political dimensions of filmmaking, challenges Hollywood’s global dominance while elevating independent, experimental, and politically conscious works. Through his essays, books, and lectures, Rosenbaum remains a transformative figure in global film discourse, inspiring scholars and cinephiles alike.

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