gair rhydd: Interviews

Innocent until proven guilty?

A quick glance at the cast of In Prison my whole Life and it appears that every American has something to say about the case. One may be surprised to find the likes of philosopher, Noam Chomsky and rap-artist Snoop Dogg in the same film but this simply reaffirms the diverse nature of the debate, which has kept America and arguably the entire world at the edge of their seats for 25-years. Any director willing to make a film about such a delicate and controversial matter would have to have a lot of guts.

Are the Guilty REALLY Guilty?

Since deciding to do his PHD on ‘The Presentation of the British Prison on Television’ 17 years ago, Cardiff University Lecturer Dr Paul Mason has been actively working to combat social inequality and abuses of power within the criminal justice system.

Gorgeous George

First impressions do count. The criteria on which you are judged will differ according to your company. I am a firm believer in the handshake as a key signifier of the personality department (with firmness equating to strength of character). Many a time have I felt let down when a potentially intriguing candidate has a feeble first greeting. Every so often you will meet someone who knows exactly how to handle the initial meeting scenario. George Alagiah is one such individual. If he was judged solely on his handshake he would pass the personality test with flying colours. But he does not rely on this attribute. His open smile and willingness to make time for people makes him most endearing.

At home on the prairie

My first interest in dramatics was radio,” said Altman. “I recall listening to the radio a lot as a kid in the 1930s, like many kids would I’d never miss it. My hero when I was a young man was Norman Corwin, who practically created the radio drama.

Garrison Keillro’s story

Directed by Robert Altman and written by and starring Garrison Keillor, A Prairie Home Companion captures the distinctive spirit and humour of its namesake live radio variety programme, which Keillor has been writing and hosting for over 30 years.

Holier than thou?

Any mention of Christian Voice director Stephen Green brings to mind a frothing-at-the-mouth religious conservative, a ‘fire and brimstone’ fundamentalist – something like Chancellor Sutler in V for Vendetta come to life. Such is the impression derived from the media. But in person, he couldn’t be further from that image. It seems impossible that this friendly, mild-mannered individual is the same man that has called for the reintroduction of the death penalty, described Hindus as “wicked”, and found himself arrested in Cardiff in September for distributing homophobic leaflets.

Meet The Hoffman

Ingredients for a film premier: red carpet (a must-have), hoards of paparazzi, a selection of TV crews and an abundance of over-excited fans. A high-profile location is of utmost importance (The Odeon in London’s Leicester Square is always a satisfactory starting point). Add a sprinkling of star-dust and a token Hollywood Legend and there you have it; a glamorous evening ready to be dished out and fed to the public eye.

White on cue

I can’t play snooker to save my life. My best ever break is an appalling eight, my cue action is unorthodox and most people laugh out loud at my facial expression when I try to play a shot.

The direct approach

The BFI Times 50th London Film Festival. 30 or so cramped journalists line the entrance to the Odeon in Leicester Square, craning their necks in anticipation, as the likes of Emma Thompson, Will Ferrel and Dustin Hoffman shimmer and muscle-flex their way onto the red carpet for the premiere of Stranger than Fiction.

Interview, it is nice

“I will not take questions from a woman.” A firm statement from the moustachioed Kazak sex symbol, it seems Borat is unlikely to be folding his controversial views to suit British etiquette. Meanwhile said woman, a perplexed-looking Scottish journalist, struggles to get her question acknowledged as Borat merely stares ahead ignoring every word.

Rich man

Ben Richards on…

Touring

“Guys and Dolls is going fantastically. We have had a really great time so far. It kicked off in Glasgow. The houses were brilliant and we had two lovely reviews. It is a great company and I am really proud to be in it.”

The Noble man

I am on tour at the moment. The tour is called Fizzy Logic. It is going reallly well. So far it’s been brilliant. Absolutely first class. It definitely gets better every time you go on tour. It consists of all my favourite venues back to back. There is no specific favourite for me. Obviously when I play at Newcastle there is something special about that because it’s my hometown but I love all the venues on this tour.

Around the world in war-torn days

In a debate as to whether men have the ability to multi-task, Rageh Omaar would be a prime form of evidence in favour of the notion. He is as accustomed to chaotic surroundings as the average Briton is to a Sunday roast and is no stranger to a fast-paced lifestyle.

The Snow report

We are approximately twenty-two miles from Hereford, on the Wales/England border, in Hay-on-Wye. Famous for its association with books, this is the time of year when the town is most vibrant. A diverse range of people attend the Guardian Hay Festival, an event labelled by Bill Clinton as ‘the Woodstock of the Mind’.

Nick McDonell

MCDONELL: Frustratingly,he’s good-looking as well. Yargh.

Critical endorsements from Hunter S. Thompson, Germaine Greer and newspapers the world over, a place at Harvard, and a bestselling debut novel that earned him the often over-used “voice of a generation” status: Nick McDonell has accomplished more in 21 years than most writers do in a lifetime. Yes, that’s 21 years; life isn’t fair, I know.

Nick Robinson

Nick Robinson has been working as the BBC’s political editor since the end of last August. Educated at Oxford, reading Politics, Philosophy and Economics, his first broadcasting job was as an “unpaid gofer’ for Piccadilly Radio in Manchester.

Gair Rhydd

Interviews