Bronx Socrates
In a touching and inspirational tribute to the value of a truly monumental teacher, Bronx Socrates tells the story of Professor Bob Gurland, a philosophy professor at NYU for more than a half century. Prof Gurland is the most popular, dynamic, and important faculty member in the history of the university, and the most consequential teacher of philosophy in modern world history. More than 25,000 students were formally educated in his classrooms, and countless more have been influenced by his lessons in the halls of the university, dormitories, and all the venues in which the great orator, educator, and entertainer held court.
Bronx Socrates explores the extraordinary legacy of Professor Gurland and his inestimable impact on the modern world; the impact of a life measured in semesters, and dedicated to ensuring that his students were equipped with the intellectual tools and critical thinking skills that enabled them to know how to think, but never victimized into being told what to think. Through a series of interviews with and about Professor Gurland, the film connects the audience with one of the great minds of American Academia, who's insights, humor, and vision of life and its meaning have helped countless students make there way through the world. Like the Socrates of old, Gurland has built his legacy as a teacher, not an author, having published precious little in the academic or commercial press. Instead, Gurland's is a legacy measured by the impact he has had on the lives of those who have heard him speak. Teaching a multi-faceted and integrated philosophy of life founded upon resilience, gratitude, and the power of intellectual curiosity, the scope of Gurland's legacy in inspiring multiple generations of teachers, soldiers, executives, entrepreneurs, and all likes of people is immeasurable. For all those who have known the experience of having a great teacher in their lives, Bronx Socrates will be an inspirational reminder of how fortunate they have been. For those not so fortunate, the film will introduce them to a legendary figure that will not only show them what have been missing, but also play a big part in filling that void.
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Joseph Di SalvoDirector
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Michael PollackProducer
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Joseph Di SalvoProducer
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Paul BakerPost Production Supervisor
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Skyler ReidCinematographer
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Paul BakerEditor
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Skyler ReidEditor
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Henry WalkerAssociate Producer
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Christian PayneAssociate Producer
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Peter WaldmanComposer
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Robert GurlandKey Cast"Self"
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Dan WechslerKey Cast"Self"
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Luke SalisburyKey Cast"Self"
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Christine VitranoKey Cast"Self"
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Matthew StatlerKey Cast"Self"
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Andy PostmanKey Cast"Self"
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Peter StrombergKey Cast"Self"
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Dave ShelleyKey Cast"Self"
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Bruce BuchananKey Cast"Self"
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Joseph Di SalvoWriter
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Project Type:Documentary
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Runtime:1 hour 24 minutes 58 seconds
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Completion Date:January 6, 2025
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Production Budget:175,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States, United States
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Country of Filming:United States, United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
Distribution Information
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Pollack FilmsDistributorCountry: WorldwideRights: All Rights
For more than two decades, Joe Di Salvo has been an advisor, counselor, and trusted partner to many iconic brands that have transformed key segments of the retail marketplace. He is the founder and managing partner of Di Salvo Howard PLLC, a boutique law practice that primarily works with private equity backed small- and middle-market branded consumer products in a variety of categories, including food, beverage, supplements, and personal care. As managing partner of the firm, Joe works closely with investors, founders, management teams, and boards to accelerate growth and maximize enterprise value. Joe provides strategic, insightful, practical advice and guidance concerning the critical functions of his clients’ businesses, including corporate governance, finance, operations, marketing, sales, intellectual property, human resources, and dispute resolution. Current and former clients include KIND® Snacks, Drunk Elephant®, Sun Bum®, Perfect Snacks®, Pirate’s Booty®, Pretzel Crisps®, Bare Foods®, Spindrift®, Vega®, Lily’s®, Ancient Nutrition®, Daily Harvest®, Justin’s®, The Honey Pot Company®, Briogeo®, and babyganics®, among others. Joe also serves on the advisory boards for Red Pine Capital Partners, LLC and MedPower, LLC.
Prior to forming Di Salvo Howard, Joe was vice president and general counsel for Glaceau, Inc., maker of vitaminwater® and smartwater®, where he played an integral role in the development and execution of the company’s growth and exit strategy to the Coca-Cola Company in 2007 for $4.1b. Joe began his career as a trial attorney with the law firm of McCarter & English, LLP, where he was a founding member of the firm's New York Office.
For the past six years, Joe has served as an adjunct professor at the NYU Stern School of Business, where he teaches Professional Responsibility & Leadership. Joe is also the director and producer of the documentary film Bronx Socrates, which is presently in post production, and slated for worldwide distribution in 2025.
The inspiration for this film began in 1990 when, as an NYU freshman, I met philosophy Professor Bob Gurland.
Bob’s legacy, like Socrates, is that of great orator and teacher, a beacon for finding meaning in experience and truth in life. His special power was always making one feel they were receiving his wisdom one-on-one, even in classes of over 250. Like Socrates, he published little in a publish-or-perish world, instead establishing himself as the most popular rock-star professor at NYU for over 50 years, a true legend.
Of the 44 credits necessary to receive my philosophy degree from NYU, 34 were classes or independent studies with Bob. I majored in Gurland. After graduation, he stayed in my life as my friend and mentor and ultimately helped me secure a teaching position at NYU. My first semester coincided with his last. Covid hit, Bob retired, and I was inspired to share his extraordinary story. His transformative stint as a professor at West Point, hosting a national talk show , over two decades as a resident dormitory faculty advisor, coaching the NYU baseball team, and his remarkable connection to the 25,000+ who experienced his inspirational classroom performances, all chapters in a teaching life measured in semesters.