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Alaa al-Aswany, Michael B Jordan, Hou Hsiao-Hsien

Egyptian author Alaa al-Aswany on his latest novel The Automobile Club Of Egypt; Michael Jordan on his role in Creed; Hou Hsaio-Hsien discusses his latest film The Assassin.

Blur and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn on his latest project, reuniting The Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music. Actor Michael B Jordan discusses the year and a half he spent in training before taking up his role in Creed, the latest film in the long running Rocky series. And, acclaimed Egyptian author, journalist, political activist (and dentist) Alaa al-Aswany on his latest novel The Automobile Club Of Egypt.

We hear from Arti Shah, the English-Asian actress who has no less than four roles in the latest Star Wars film. Hou Hsaio-Hsien discusses his latest film The Assassin, which won him the top directing award at the last Cannes Festival. Plus, composer Tunde Jegede tells us about leaving England for Gambia at the age of eight to study the Kora.

Janice Y K Lee, author of The Piano Teacher discusses her new novel The Expatriates. And, Kezita, the reggae star from Togo, talks about the influence of Miriam Makeba.

(Photo: Alaa al-Aswany (c) Joel Saget/Getty Images, Michael B Jordan (c) Frederick M Brown/Getty Images, Hou Hsiao-Hsien (c) Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images)

50 minutes

Last on

Tue 2 Feb 2016 02:06GMT

Music and featured items

  • The Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music

    The orchestra reunites for their first concert since Syria's descent into war

    Duration: 06:52

  • Alaa Al Aswany

    The Egyptian author, journalist, political activist (and dentist) on his latest novel

    Duration: 03:57

  • Beatrix Potter

    News of a new story that will be published in September

    Duration: 03:07

  • Hou Hsiao-Hsien

    Hou Hsaio-Hsien discusses his latest film The Assassin

    Duration: 04:16

  • Tunde Jegede

    Composer Tunde Jegede tells us about leaving England for Gambia at the age of eight

    Duration: 04:46

  • Michael B Jordan

    The actor discusses the year and half he spent training for his role in Creed

    Duration: 09:12

  • Kezita

    The reggae star from Togo talks about the influence of Miriam Makeba on her

    Duration: 05:11

  • Janice Y K Lee

    The author talks about her new novel

    Duration: 06:04

  • Arti Shah

    The English Asian actress who has four roles in the latest Star Wars film

    Duration: 02:33

  • Blur

    Girls and Boys

  • Aphex Twin

    101 Rainbows

  • Kezita

    Reggae Time

  • Trio Da Kali

    Kanimba

  • John Williams

    Star Wars Main Title

    Performer: The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Paul Bateman.
  • Jose Cancela

    Creed Theme

  • Gorillaz

    Dirty Harry

  • Bob Marley & The Wailers

    Burnin and Lootin

  • Woody Herman & His Big Band

    The Woodchoppers Ball

  • Survivor

    Eye Of The Tiger

  • B. Bumble & the Stingers

    Bumble Boogie

  • Bill Conti

    Gonna Fly Now

  • Alex Gopher

    You My Baby and I

Broadcasts

  • Sun 31 Jan 2016 15:06GMT
  • Sun 31 Jan 2016 22:06GMT
  • Mon 1 Feb 2016 07:06GMT
  • Mon 1 Feb 2016 09:06GMT
  • Mon 1 Feb 2016 13:06GMT
  • Mon 1 Feb 2016 23:06GMT
  • Tue 2 Feb 2016 02:06GMT