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Ian McKellen, Nan Goldin, The Past, New Worlds

Arts news with John Wilson, including Sir Ian McKellen on playing Estragon, photographer Nan Goldin, French film The Past and a review of restoration drama New Worlds.

With John Wilson

Andrew Dickson reviews Channel 4's new drama series New Worlds, set in the turbulent 1680's, a time of torture and show trials as the reign of Charles II goes from tolerance to tyranny. New Worlds stars Jamie Dornan and Freya Mavor.

American photographer Nan Goldin talks to John about her latest collection of work which comprises of more than 300 photographs exploring the theme of childhood, why digital photography is not for her, and how the camera saved her life.

To mark Radio 4's forthcoming Character Invasion Day - when fictional characters will be taking over the network - Front Row asked five of Britain's leading actors to talk about their experience of playing an iconic character. Sir Ian McKellen discusses taking on the role of Estragon in Waiting for Godot - a play voted the most significant English language play of the 20th century in a National Theatre poll of 800 playwrights, actors, directors and journalists.

The Past is the new film from the Iranian writer and director of the Oscar-winning A Separation. In Asghar Farhadi's latest film, B茅r茅nice Bejo (from The Artist) plays a French woman who embarks on a new relationship after her Iranian husband leaves her behind and returns to his homeland. But when she arranges for a divorce he returns to find unexpected tragic consequences. Shahidha Bari reviews.

Producer : Dymphna Flynn

Image: Ian McKellen in Waiting for Godot performed in rep with No Man's Land by Harold Pinter, directed by Sean Mathias at Broadway's Cort Theatre, New York
Photo Credit: Joan Marcus 2013.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • New Worlds

    Andrew Dickson reviews Channel 4's new drama series New Worlds

    Duration: 04:46

  • Nan Goldin

    American photographer Nan Goldin talks to John about her latest collection of work

    Duration: 12:00

  • The Past

    Shahidha Bari reviews The Past, a new film from Iranian writer & director Asghar Farhadi

    Duration: 04:11

  • Character Invasion: Ian McKellen

    Sir Ian McKellen discusses taking on the role of Estragon in Waiting for Godot

    Duration: 06:58

New Worlds

New Worlds

starts听on Tuesday 1 April 2014 at 21:00 on Channel 4.

Image: Freya Mavor as Beth & Jamie Dornan as Abe in New Worlds.

Waiting For Godot

starring Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart is on Broadway at the Cort Theatre, New York until Saturday 29 March 2014.

The Past

The Past

听is released in UK cinemas on Friday 28 March 2014, certificate 12A.

Image: B茅r茅nice Bejo as Marie Brisson & Tahar Rahim as Samir in The Past (Le pass茅)

Photo Credit: Carole Bethuel

Eden and After

Eden and After by Nan Goldin is available now,听published by Phaidon Press Ltd.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter John Wilson
Interviewed Guest Andrew Dickson
Interviewed Guest Nan Goldin
Interviewed Guest Ian McKellen
Interviewed Guest Shahidha Bari
Producer Dymphna Flynn

Broadcast

  • Tue 25 Mar 2014 19:15

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