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Wadjda, Philipp Meyer, Alison Balsom, Paul Franklin

Shahidha Bari reviews Wadjda, Philipp Meyer discusses his new novel The Son, Alison Balsom on new play Gabriel, and Paul Franklin chooses The Thief of Bagdad for Cultural Exchange.

With John Wilson.

Wadjda is the first film from Saudi Arabia to be directed by a woman, Haifaa Al Mansour. It's the story of an 11-year-old girl who enters a Koran recitation competition in order to buy a bike with the winnings, even though women are discouraged from cycling and are banned from driving cars. Critic Shahidha Bari delivers her verdict.

American writer Philipp Meyer's ambitious new novel, The Son, maps the legacy of violence in the western United States. When a young man is taken captive by the Comanches, he learns to adapt to their way of life before their tribe is destroyed by disease, starvation and an overwhelming number of armed, white settlers. Philipp Meyer discusses the breadth of scope - and the five years it took to research and write - of his epic 560-page novel.

Starring trumpet soloist Alison Balsom, Gabriel opens at Shakespeare's Globe this evening. The play, set during the Glorious Revolution, showcases the music of Purcell through a combination of drama, instrumentals and songs. John talks to Balsom, as well as the play's director Dominic Dromgoole, about the project.

Producer Karla Sweet.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Wadjda

    Critic Shahidha Bari delivers her verdict.

    Duration: 04:21

  • Philipp Meyer's The Son

    Philipp Meyer discusses the breadth of scope of his epic 560-page novel.

    Duration: 10:31

  • Alison Balsom in Gabriel

    John talks to Balsom, as well as the play's director Dominic Dromgoole, about the project.

    Duration: 07:03

  • Cultural Exchange: Paul Franklin

    He chooses The Thief of Bagdad.

    Duration: 05:47

Wadjda

聽is released聽in key cities on 19 July 2013.

The Son

The Son by Philipp Meyer is available now and published by Simon & Schuster.

Gabriel

by Samuel Adamson continues in Shakespeare's Globe Theatre until 18 August 2013.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter John Wilson
Interviewed Guest Philipp Meyer
Interviewed Guest Alison Balsom
Interviewed Guest Dominic Dromgoole
Interviewed Guest Paul Franklin
Producer Karla Sweet
Editor John Goudie

Broadcast

  • Fri 19 Jul 2013 19:15

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