Toronto-based distributor Blue Ice Docs has acquired the Canadian rights to Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi’s doc The 50 Year Argument (pictured) from sales agent Cinephil, which it will release next spring.

The film explores The New York Review of Books‘ literary, political and cultural history as a leading journal of ideas. As previously reported, the film will have its Canadian premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 11, with a Q&A session featuring Scorsese, Tedeschi and Review editor Bob Silvers following the screening.

The 50 Year Argument integrates rare archival material, vérité footage from the Review’s West Village offices, contributor interviews and excerpts from the work of Review writers such as Mary McCarthy, Gore Vidal, Norman Mailer and Joan Didion.

The film is produced by BBC Arena, Sikelia Productions and WOWOW, in association with HBO Documentary Films, Verdi Productions and Magna Entertainment.

“I have learned so much over the years from The New York Review of Books,” said Scorsese in a statement. “It’s given me so much that I jumped at the chance to make this film.

“And David and I both welcomed the challenge of making a film that reflected what is so unique about the Review; really, a film about the adventure of thought, and – as Colm Toibin puts it – the sensuality of ideas. I hope we succeeded.”