Filmmaker Mads Brugger’s ‘The Ambassador’ and the Story of a Phony Diplomat

Mads Brugger’s film “The Ambassador” is about his adventure in the Central African Republic where he posed as a Liberian diplomat.

“Passione”: John Turturro’s Musical Tribute to Naples

Turturro explains his love for the city and its music.

Indonesia’s movie crisis

In a tax dispute with Indonesia’s government, Hollywood studios have stopped sending movies there.

Where to see the longest movie

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For the Geo Quiz we’re getting out the popcorn and settling in for a screening of the world’s longest movie. The ticket’s cheap: in fact it’s free but the feature lasts 240 hours. So, we want to know, where is this mega-pic being shown? Download MP3

Peepli Live

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The Hindi film Peepli Live is about two brothers in the heart of rural India who seek the help of a local politician because of fears they will lose their farm. Unconcerned the politician mockingly suggests that the brothers commit suicide and benefit from a government scheme that aids the families of indebted farmers who have done so. Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks to the film’s producer Aamir Khan. Download MP3

• Video: Watch scenes from Peepli Live
• Peepli Live official site
• Photos: See images from the film
• Twitter: Join the conversation happening around the world about Peepli Live

International egg surrogacy

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An egg from an American female donor is fertilized with sperm from an Israeli man who takes the fertilized egg to India to grow in the womb of an Indian woman. The outsourcing of surrogacy is the topic of Zippi Brand Frank’s documentary, “Google Baby”, which is airing on HBO. Katy Clark speaks with Zippi Brand Frank about the international business of surrogacy. Download MP3

• Watch the trailer for “Google Baby”
• Zippi Brand Frank
• HBO Google Baby

Jimmy Cliff

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“The Harder They Come” remains a film classic. Its outlaw theme, and reggae soundtrack owed much to its star, Jimmy Cliff. He joins Marco Werman to talk about the film, about the early days of reggae, and about Jamaica’s music scene today. (Photo: Aram Kilimli) Download MP3

• 1972′s “The Harder They Come” trailer
• Jimmy Cliff’s official website

“Erasing David”

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British filmmaker David Bond spent one month on the lam last year to see how effective video surveillance and private investigators would be at catching up with him. We hear more on today’s show. (Photo: Erasing David film) Download MP3

• Watch the trailer of “Erasing David”
• “Erasing David” Facebook page

More Greece, Russian films, and German potholes

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More news from Greece on this edition of the Global Economy Podcast. The country in the middle of its “worst crisis” in modern history, as the Greek finance minister put it. How are the Germans feeling about Greece? And how are the Greeks feeling about Greece? Also on this edition of the podcast: potholes in Germany, film in Russia, and a new trade route through the Himalayas. Also, is it better to give charitable donations of money or goods to help rebuild Haiti? Download MP3

Your World, Your Way – BBC users show off video skills

Michael Schmacke’s fast animation through the center of Berlin is art of the BBC World Service MyWorld project. The film is one of many short videos being submitted by World Service users to share the things that matter to them. Michael shot his film with a digital SLR camera – he describes it as “a point of view which only could be developed by the cold war, an abstract building of childish arguments. Just like the film…”

• The Wall by Michael Schmacke
• MyWorld
• Top Tips for Great Film-Making

Avatar in the Amazon

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If there were ever a place that came close to the magical world of Pandora in James Cameron’s new film Avatar, it would probably be the Amazon. There may not be butterflies that look like flying squid, but in the Amazon can you eat giant worms and lemon flavored ants for dinner in a forest that is home to both the jaguar and the pink dolphin. Reporter Melaina Spitzer joined a group of indigenous leaders from the Amazon in Ecuador’s capital Quito, to see Avatar on the big screen in 3D. Download MP3

• Watch a video of the indigenous leaders going to see Avatar
• Official Avatar website

Pandora

Our eyes are on Pandora for today’s Geo Quiz. Pandora is the setting for the science-fiction movie “Avatar.” The film broke through the “one billion dollars in ticket sales” barrier this past weekend. That’s thanks in part to big international audiences. “Avatar” is already the most successful movie EVER in the country we want you to name today.

Immigrants and the Catholic Church

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The Catholic Church in the United States faces many other challenges. Attendance at some of its churches are near empty, while others are full. The growth in the Church has come largely from immigrants, who often want to worship in their own language and style. Older churchgoers don’t always like that. A documentary that airs tonight on many PBS stations documents these tensions. Download MP3

• Scenes from a Parish
• Wikipedia: Lawrence, MA

Son of Babylon

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Bombs are still going off in Baghdad, but one Iraqi filmmaker hasn’t let that stop production on his new feature film Son of Babylon. Mohammed Al Daradji tells host Marco Werman about his new project that’s been selected to screen at the Sundance Film Festival next month. Download MP3 (Photo: Movie still from Son of Babylon)

• Son of Babylon film information
• Son of Babylon’s Facebook page

Iraqi film festival

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Download MP3
Some Iraqi film-makers have decided to use the visible scars of violence as a backdrop for a film festival. Screenings are being held on the very sites of some of the deadliest bombings to hit Baghdad in recent months. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with one of the organizers, Husam Al Shara.