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Clive James on Dante, A Season in the Congo, Paula Milne's Cultural Exchange

Arts news. Clive James discusses his translation of Dante's The Divine Comedy, a review of A Season in the Congo starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Paula Milne's Cultural Exchange.

With Mark Lawson.

Writer and poet Clive James discusses his ambitious version of Dante's 14th century epic poem The Divine Comedy. He reflects on the challenge and pleasure of translating the 14,233 lines which took him several years, while struggling with ill health which made him wonder whether he'd live to see it published.

Directed by Joe Wright and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, the UK premiere of A Season in the Congo by Aim茅 C茅saire opens on stage this week. Set in the Congo during the country's first year of independence, the play charts the life of Patrice Lumumba from his campaigning against Belgian rule, to becoming Prime Minster, to his assassination. Novelist Justin Cartwright gives his verdict.

Screenwriter Paula Milne offers her choice for Cultural Exchange - Five Easy Pieces, an influential 1970 film starring Jack Nicholson as a frustrated musician who drifts from job to job and embarks on a road trip to see his seriously ill father.

Producer Jerome Weatherald.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • A Season in Congo

    The UK premiere of A Season in the Congo by Aim茅 C茅saire opens on stage this week.

    Duration: 06:36

  • Clive James' Dante: The Divine Comedy

    Clive James discusses his ambitious version of Dante's 14th century epic poem.

  • Cultural Exchange: Paula Milne

    The screenwriter chooses Five Easy Pieces.

    Duration: 06:30

Dante: The Divine Comedy

Dante: The Divine Comedy, translated by Clive James, is available now and published by Liveright.

A Season in the Congo

continues at The Young Vic until 24 August 2013.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Mark Lawson
Interviewed Guest Clive James
Interviewed Guest Paula Milne
Producer Jerome Weatherald
Editor John Goudie

Broadcast

  • Wed 17 Jul 2013 19:15

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