The Arts Hour

Nikki Bedi is on stage at Teatro Italia in Rome with leading creatives and live audience, to explore the impact of the country’s colossal cultural history on its new wave of artistic talent.Creative powerhouse Margherita Vicario reveals the inspiration for her film Gloria!, about rebellious women musicians in a convent in 1800 Venice.Horror maestro Paolo Strippoli explains the meaning of his film, The Holy Boy, set in a village that depends on the miraculous healing powers of a teenage boy.There is live comedy from Luca Ravenna.Live music comes from singer songwriter Levante and poetic rapper Mecna.And Daniele Tinti is Nikki’s insider guide to Rome’s revealing locationsPhoto credit Marco Ponzianelli

Nikki Bedi and film critic Guy Lodge discuss cultural highlights of the week. Australian actor Joel Edgerton on being at one with nature whilst filming Train Dreams. India born British-American author Salman Rushdie talks about writing for comfort and catharsis at moments of crisis in his life. Hollywood actor Sydney Sweeney reveals how she transformed herself to play real life boxer Christy Martin in the movie Christy. Chinese American director Bing Liu, tells Nikki about his first narrative film Preparation for the Next Life. And Tamana Ayazi discusses saving the music of Afghanistan, banned under the Taliban.(Photo: Bing Liu. Credit: MetFilms)

Nikki Bedi speaks to film-maker Neeraj Ghaywan about his film Homebound, which is India’s entry for the Best International Feature category at the Oscars. She also talks to the director Shih-Ching Tsou about Taiwan’s entry for the same category, the Taipei-set film Left-Handed Girl. Plus a chance to hear about Australia’s entry, The Wolves Always Come at Night from the film-maker Gabrielle Brady.The creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers talk about the series genesis and the 1980s themes. And Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence reveals how the late great comedy actor John Candy was a formative influence.Nikki Bedi is joined by cultural critic Zing Tsjeng to discuss all of this and more.(Photo: Neeraj Ghaywan. Credit: Dharma Productions)

Nikki Bedi talks to director Nia DaCosta about her film Hedda starring Tessa Thompson and is joined by cultural critic Hanna Flint. Oscar winning British actor Daniel Day-Lewis and his director son Ronan, discuss working together on their film Anemone. Spanish superstar Rosalia reveals why, and how, she chooses different languages to sing in. Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston tackles a classic Arthur Miller play with actor Marianne Jean-Baptiste. Australian actor Sarah Snook, of Succession fame, talks about her latest series All Her Fault. And Puerto Rican guitarist Carlos Alomar on collaborating with David Bowie.Main image: Tessa Thompson as Hedda Photo credit: Amazon MGM StudiosAudio for this episode was updated on 2nd December 2025.

Director Jon M Chu talks about Wicked: For Good - the themes, working with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, and he reveals his favourite scene in the film.Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul creator Vince Gilligan and star Rhea Seehorn discuss their new series Pluribus.British actor Riz Ahmed on being a man of few words in the thriller Relay.And Nikki Bedi is joined by cultural critic, Larushka Ivan- ZadehPhoto Credit: Universal Pictures