The New York City literary and cultural scene buzzed with surprise when Woody Allen, alongside his wife Soon Yi Previn, appeared at a party in the Upper East Side.
According to Page Six, the gathering was held to celebrate the launch of a new magazine called AFM, produced by the dating app Feeld.
On Tuesday night, notable guests converged at Daphne Merkin’s residence for an event that was anything but ordinary. The gathering was not only a typical literary soirée but marked the introduction of AFM, a new cultural and literary magazine initiated by Feeld, a dating app recognized for its unique approach to sexual orientation configurations.
The presence of Allen and Previn didn't go unnoticed, especially considering it's one of the few public appearances they have made since the resurgence of accusations against Allen amidst the #MeToo movement. These allegations have remained unproven, but the couple's social visibility decreased significantly as a result.
Daphne Merkin, the event's host, isn't a stranger to stirring discussions and controversy. In 2018, she penned a debated profile of Soon Yi Previn for New York Magazine, shedding light on Previn’s perspective on her marriage to Allen and her earlier life. The relationship between Allen and Previn has often been scrutinized due to the circumstances under which they first became connected.
AFM stands provocatively for “A F**king Magazine” as well as “A Feeld Magazine,” encapsulating the edgy essence Feeld imparts to its projects. The magazine's first issue witnessed contributions from acclaimed writers including Jazmine Hughes, Allison P. Davis, and Susanna Moore, showcasing a rich variety of voices and topics. Editors Haley Mlotek and Maria Dimitrova spearheaded the magazine's editorial vision.
Among the attendees were cultural icons like Candace Bushnell, Molly Jong-Fast, and Emma Cline. Alongside these famed figures, the event also featured readings from award-winning filmmaker James Ivory and writer Tony Tulathimutte, whose reading performance humorously reminded everyone, "I’m a fiction writer," reflecting on the blend of realities and fiction often present in literary settings.
The launch of AFM magazine represents an intriguing development in literary culture, especially given its affiliation with Feeld, a platform well-known for advocating for an inclusive range of sexual preferences and identities. This bold step might signal a new direction in how literature can intersect with broader social and personal themes.
Ana Kirova, CEO of Feeld, was present to observe the interactions and gauge reactions to the new magazine. The bi-annual AFM is priced at $24 and can be purchased through their website, ReadAFM.com, or at various newsstands, suggesting an intent to blend high-brow literary content with accessible commercial strategy.
Woody Allen’s attendance, although brief due to his age at 88 years old, still underscores a significant moment for the evening. It brought an additional layer of complexity and celebrity to the event’s dynamics, described by one onlooker as Allen and Previn being "amidst the pigs in blankets at a bash," highlighting the mix of high culture and casual gathering moments.
The contrast between the night’s literary readings and the social whispers about Allen’s past controversies encapsulates the complex interplay of media, culture, and personal histories that typify New York's elite cultural gatherings. The event managed by Kaitlin Phillips went smoothly, indicating a well-organized affair despite the potential for controversy.
As the night carried on, discussions flowed around the themes of the readings and the magazine’s content, offering a space for debate and reflection among New York’s literary community. The event not only launched a magazine but also sparked conversations that would resonate after the last guest had left.
The unveiling of AFM magazine through such a high-profile event signals an ambitious attempt to redefine the boundaries between public discourse, private lives, and cultural expression. It was a night that reminded many of the unstoppable pulse of New York’s cultural life, even in the face of unexpected encounters and controversial figures.
