Front Row Folgen

Danny Elfman has composed the score for over 100 films including Batman, Men in Black, Edward Scissorhands, as well as writing The Simpsons theme tune. Before he worked in film he was a rock musician in a band called Oingo Boingo, and when the movie industry went into lockdown he used the opportunity to return to his rock roots. He’s just released a double-album called Big Mess. Danny talks to Samira about both his musical lives.Billed as Gossip Girl meets Get Out, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé’s debut novel, Ace of Spades, is a YA thriller that explores the effects of institutional racism. Set in an elite high school, it follows two black teenagers who are targeted by an anonymous texter spreading damaging rumours about them to the entire student body. Faridah joins us to discuss her book which landed her a one million dollar book deal.Public statuary has a reputation for mostly commemorating male subjects, but a newly unveiled statue of suffragette Emily Davison in Epsom is part of a trend to address that imbalance. But how difficult is it to get approval for new statues, who decides whether a subject is important enough and how do you start the process? We speak with two women, Sarah Dewing, who was instrumental in the Emily Davison statue, and Charlotte Cornell, who is beginning a campaign for a statue to Aphra Behn. Presenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Oliver Jones Studio Engineer: Giles AspenMain image: Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé Image credit: Joy Olugboyega

The artist Ai Weiwei has just unveiled his seven-metre-tall Gilded Cage at Blenheim Palace, a sculpture which addresses the international migrant crisis. He discusses this, as well as the largest exhibition of his work ever staged, in Lisbon, and why he has now made Portugal his home.In the run-up to the awarding of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021, Front Row is talking to each of the shortlisted authors. This week it’s the turn of Claire Fuller for her novel Unsettled Ground which has won praise for its sensitivity and intelligence. It’s the story of twins in their 50s, living a life of rural isolation and poverty. Following the death of their mother, lies and secrets begin to emerge and their home comes under threat.Open Ground is a new visitor experience which enables people to hear recordings of the late Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney, reading his own poems in the locations that inspired them. An accompanying app lets you learn more about the context of the poem. How successful will it be in keeping alive the Nobel Laureate’s poetry for a new generation? Freya McClements reports.Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Hilary Dunn

Florian Zeller’s play The Father was hailed as a masterpiece. Zeller made his debut as a director with his film of it, and Sir Anthony Hopkins won an Oscar for his performance as the patriarch sliding into dementia. Zeller tells Kirsty Lang how he was determined to make a film, rather a film version of a play, and how he makes the audience experience the disorientation of a man as his mind crumbles. The author and teacher Jeffrey Boakye has made a playlist with a difference – it’s A Musical History of Modern Black Britain in 28 Songs - but if that title runs too long for you, he talks to Kirsty about why he’s called his new book Musical Truth. And three years ago Ita O’Brien joined us on Front Row to talk about how intimacy co-ordinators were beginning to be used in film and television to ensure the comfort and wellbeing of actors during the shooting of sex scenes. Last night, Michaela Coel dedicated her Bafta win for I May Destroy You to Ita, who joins us now to talk about how the landscape has changed since she was last spoke on Front Row, and what progress has been made. Presenter: Kirsty Lang Producer: Julian May Studio Manager: Giles AspenMain image: Sir Anthony Hopkins in Florian Zeller's film The Father Image credit: courtesy Lionsgate Films