Actor and film-maker Sir Kenneth Branagh talks to John Wilson about the key influences and inspirations that have shaped his own work. In a wide-ranging conversation, he reveals some of his formative artistic experiences and discusses his creative process.\n\nBranagh discusses his working-class upbringing in late 1960s Northern Ireland at the start of the Troubles, as explored in his most personal film to date, Belfast. He traces the beginnings of his passion for Shakespeare back to the discovery of LP recordings of Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud, and reveals his admiration for Alan Bleasdale's 1980s television series Boys from the Blackstuff. He also discusses his participation in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.\n\nThis Cultural Life is a BBC Radio 4 podcast.
Source: BBC 4
Peter Kosminsky
Having started out as a current affairs journalist, Peter Kosminsky made his name by telling contemporary social and political stories in the form of television drama. Warriors ...
10-11-2024
BBC 4
Series 2: Sally Wainwright
Award-winning television dramatist and director Sally Wainwright talks to John Wilson about her formative cultural influences. After learning the art of screenwriting whilst wor ...
11-09-2024
BBC 4
Juliette Binoche
Actor Juliette Binoche talks to John Wilson about the formative influences that shaped her career.
02-06-2024
BBC 4
Michael Palin
Actor, comedian, presenter and writer Sir Michael Palin talks to John Wilson about his formative creative influences.
05-05-2024
BBC 4
Boy George
Singer-songwriter Boy George talks to John Wilson about his formative cultural influences.
04-05-2024
BBC 4
Series 2: Judi Dench: Shakespeare Special
Dame Judi Dench talks to John Wilson about her biggest cultural influence: William Shakespeare.
27-11-2023
BBC 4
Series 2: Margaret Atwood
John Wilson talks to award-wining author Margaret Atwood about the experiences that shaped her writing.
25-11-2023
BBC 4
Series 1: 2. Bernardine Evaristo
Booker Prize-winning author Bernardine Evaristo talks to John Wilson about the formative experiences and cultural influences that have had a profound effect on her work.\n\nEvar ...
20-11-2023
BBC 4
Series 1: 1. Kenneth Branagh
Actor and film-maker Sir Kenneth Branagh talks to John Wilson about the key influences and inspirations that have shaped his own work. In a wide-ranging conversation, he reveals ...
02-11-2023
BBC 4
Series 2: Jeremy Deller
Award-winning artist Jeremy Deller discusses his career and creative influences with John Wilson.
30-10-2023
BBC 4
Series 2: Sally Wainwright
Award-winning television dramatist and director Sally Wainwright talks to John Wilson about her formative cultural influences. After learning the art of screenwriting whilst wor ...
11-09-2024
BBC 4
Series 2: Jeremy Deller
Award-winning artist Jeremy Deller discusses his career and creative influences with John Wilson.
30-10-2023
BBC 4
Juliette Binoche
Actor Juliette Binoche talks to John Wilson about the formative influences that shaped her career.
02-06-2024
BBC 4
Series 1: 4. Tracey Emin
Artist Tracey Emin talks to John Wilson about the experiences that have shaped her life and career.\n\nIn a deeply personal interview, Emin speaks about undergoing treatment for ...
12-12-2021
BBC 4
Series 1: 7. Kwame Kwei-armah
Playwright and artistic director of London's Young Vic theatre Kwame Kwei-Armah shares some of the influences that have had a significant impact on his work.\n\nKwei-Armah pursu ...
06-02-2022
BBC 4
Boy George
Singer-songwriter Boy George talks to John Wilson about his formative cultural influences.
04-05-2024
BBC 4
Series 2: 4. Whoopi Goldberg
Actor Whoopi Goldberg reveals the most important influences and experiences that shaped her own creativity.
25-05-2023
BBC 4
Michael Palin
Actor, comedian, presenter and writer Sir Michael Palin talks to John Wilson about his formative creative influences.
05-05-2024
BBC 4
Series 1: 3. Mike Leigh
Film director Mike Leigh talks to John Wilson about the art and experiences that have shaped his own creative life.\n\nLeigh recalls his early life in Salford and reveals how a ...
07-12-2021
BBC 4
Series 2: 6. Ken Loach
Over six decades, Ken Loach has forged a reputation as Britain’s foremost politically engaged film-maker, exploring issues of social justice, freedom and power. He has twi ...
18-01-2023
BBC 4