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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 life-drawing class at art college proved a formative influence on his later career. He discusses his discovery of world cinema in the 1960s and the particular impact of the French New Wave, and explains his unique film-making process in which actors develop roles through improvisation.
Source: BBC 4
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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 ...
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Juliette Binoche
Actor Juliette Binoche talks to John Wilson about the formative influences that shaped her career.
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Actor, comedian, presenter and writer Sir Michael Palin talks to John Wilson about his formative creative influences.
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Boy George
Singer-songwriter Boy George talks to John Wilson about his formative cultural influences.
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Series 2: Judi Dench: Shakespeare Special
Dame Judi Dench talks to John Wilson about her biggest cultural influence: William Shakespeare.
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BBC 4
Most popular episodes of This Cultural Life
This Cultural Life
Salman Rushdie
One of the world’s greatest novelists, Salman Rushdie has won many prestigious international literary awards and was knighted for services to literature in 2007. He won th ...
25-03-2025
BBC 4
This Cultural Life
Nile Rodgers
Nile Rodgers is one of the most successful and influential figures in popular music. As a songwriter, producer and arranger, he has enjoyed a 50-year career with his bands Chic ...
02-03-2025
BBC 4
This Cultural Life
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
This Cultural Life
Series 1: 8. Evelyn Glennie
The world's leading classical solo percussionist Evelyn Glennie talks to John Wilson about her career and some of the key influences on her artistic path.\n\nFrom growing up in ...
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This Cultural Life
Series 2: Jeremy Deller
Award-winning artist Jeremy Deller discusses his career and creative influences with John Wilson.
30-10-2023
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Series 1: 5. Carlos Acosta
Cuban ballet star Carlos Acosta talks to John Wilson about some of the key moments of his cultural life.\n\nHe discusses the influence of his father, his early love of breakdanc ...
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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
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This Cultural Life
Boy George
Singer-songwriter Boy George talks to John Wilson about his formative cultural influences.
04-05-2024
BBC 4
This Cultural Life
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
This Cultural Life
Michael Palin
Actor, comedian, presenter and writer Sir Michael Palin talks to John Wilson about his formative creative influences.
05-05-2024
BBC 4