The Arts Hour

Nikki Bedi talks to Norwegian crime writer Jo Nesbo about his Netflix series, Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole, and discusses the week’s cultural highlights with cultural critic Murtada Elfadl:
American actor and filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal talks about breathing new life into the Frankenstein story with her movie, The Bride!
Irish novelist Colm Tóibín reveals the art of Irish story telling
Oscar winner Geeta Gandbhir reflects on her documentary, The Perfect Neighbour
British author Saara El Arifi explains how she has reimagined Cleopatra
And there’s music from Palestinian Nay player, Faris Ishaq
Photo Credit:

Nikki Bedi is joined by critic Arifa Akbar to discuss cultural highlights of the week:
Filmmaker Raoul Peck, Haiti’s former Minister of Culture talks about his new documentary exploring the enduring relevance of writer George Orwell, 2 + 2 = 5
Musicians Vanessa Williams and Joshua Idehen speak about their Catholic upbringings.
Scottish actor James McAvoy discusses his directorial debut, California Schemin’.
And Indian novelist Deepa Anappara reveals the historical inspiration for her new novel The Last of Earth about travellers in 19th century Tibet
Producer: Ciaran Bermingham
Photo Credit: Matthew Avignone

Nikki Bedi is joined by critic Hanna Flint to discuss cultural highlights of the week:

Canadian actor and Hollywood star Ryan Gosling on his role as a reluctant astronaut in the sci-fi adventure movie, Project Hail Mary.

British artist Dame Tracey Emin, famous for her raw, confessional works... talks about her retrospective exhibition, A Second Life and why she is more relevant today, than ever.

Chinese British author Jung Chang recommends a book of Danish fairytales and tells us why.

Oscar winning Irish actor Cillian Murphy discusses reprising his role as Thomas Shelby in the Peaky Blinders movie, The Immortal Man.

Macedonian filmmaker Georgi M Unkovski talks to Nikki Bedi about his latest film DJ Ahmet...which has Electronic Dance Music and sheep.

Nigerian singer and musician Seun Kuti talks about liberation music and his father Fela Kuti’s legacy.

And the Oscar winning cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw on breaking into a male dominated industry.
Photo Credit: Getty Images

Nikki Bedi is joined by critic Guy Lodge to discuss cultural highlights of the week:

Australian auteur Baz Luhrmann on his second film about the King of Rock n Roll....EPIC: Elvis Presley in Concert.

American author Julia Quinn, creator of the bestselling Bridgerton books shares why she’s so drawn to this Regency period of history.

Scottish filmmaker Aidan Zamiri talks about bringing ‘Brat summer’ to the big screen in his mockumentary, The Moment with Charli XCX.

Spanish director Oliver Laxe on creating desert raves in his extraordinary film Sirāt.
Filmmaker Alessio Rigo de Righi talks to Nikki about his Italian western, Heads or Tails.
And Grammy award-winning Icelandic singer Laufey on the joys of working with an orchestra.
Photo Credit: Getty Images

Nikki Bedi and critic Leila Latif look ahead to the 98th Academy Awards ceremony, while speaking to the following Oscar contenders:
Director Chloe Zhao and actress Jessie Buckley on Hamnet
Brazilian filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho and actor Wagner Moura on The Secret Agent
Multiple Academy Award winning Greek auteur, Yorgos Lanthimos, on Bugonia
Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania discusses the making of The Voice of Hind Rajab
And Brazilian cinematographer Adolpho Veloso talks about creating the look of Train Dreams