Media :
Availability:
Available to listen.
Last broadcast on Wed, 13 Jan 2010, 13:32 on BBC World Service (see all broadcasts).
Synopsis
The best of the world's arts, film, music, literature and music brought to you every day. Presented by Mark Coles.
In today's programme the new George Clooney film 'Up In The Air', we remember the late French film maker Eric Rohmer, Vampire Weekend release their second album and an exhibition of Congolese comic books.
Eric Rohmer
French film director Eric Rohmer (above) has died aged 89. He was a leading figure of the French New Wave and came from the tradition of critic-turned-director. Film critic Jonathan Romney tells Mark Coles how Rohmer's work, intimate and idiosyncratic, has influenced a generation of international filmmakers and why his films mattered.
Up in the Air
We review the new film directed by Jason Reitman and starring George Clooney. It follows the isolated life of a management consultant who travels the world sacking people on behalf of bosses too cowardly to do it themselves. A comment on the American corporate world of business lounges, reward cards and anonymous hotels, the film has proved a hit on the international festival circuit and Clooney is already being tipped for Oscar success.
Contra - Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend's eponymous 2008 debut showcased both breeziness and depth, drawing on the interchangeability of melody and rhythm found in major strands of African music. Has their second album lived up to their early promise? Sophie Harris reviews 'Contra' released worldwide this week.
Congo Strip
As the Democratic Republic of Congo celebrates this year the 50th anniversary of its independence, an exhibition in Brussels looks at the world of Congolese comic books. Congo Strip shows how the African comic strips address the issues of cultural identity and are at a crossroad of African culture, somewhere between oral tradition and the written word. Juliette Mayol takes us around the exhibition.
Chapters
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Chapter 1
Will actor George Clooney's new movie 'Up In The Air' land him a Best Actor Oscar?
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Chapter 2
A tribute to the veteran French film-maker Eric Rohmer who died aged 89.
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Chapter 3
We hang out with Congolese comic book heroes Mata Matta and Pili Pili in Belgium.
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Chapter 4
New York band Vampire Weekend release their second album.
Broadcasts
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Tue 12 Jan 201022:32
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Wed 13 Jan 201003:32
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Wed 13 Jan 201009:32
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Wed 13 Jan 201013:32
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