Bernard-Henri Lévy

Black smoking jacket CHARVET

portraits by MILAN VUKMIROVIC 
interview by OLIVIER ZAHM

 

To better understand BERNARD-HENRI LÉVY, one of France’s most ardent intellectuals and most fearless investigative journalists, we asked him to talk about significant people and philosophical figures he’s known. We felt a portrait gallery would be the best way to unravel his controversial reputation as a celebrity intellectual and to demystify the oversimplified “New Philosopher” label he’s been defined by. His has been a life intensely devoted to the defense of freedom, for which he uses everything: his brillant style, his political influence, his media savvy, and his passion and ethics, which compel him to venture into the world’s danger zones, where people are left to suffer and die, alone and forgotten.

OLIVIER ZAHM — I read in an interview with you that you detest optimism. I would therefore like to…