Life and Art from FT Weekend

Life and Art from FT Weekend

Life and Art from FT Weekend is the twice-weekly culture podcast of the Financial Times. On Monday, we talk about life, and how to live a good one in one-on-one conversations. On Friday, we talk about ‘art’ – in a chat show. Three FT journalists come together to discuss a new cultural release across film, TV, music and books. Hosted by Lilah Raptopoulos, together with the FT’s award-winning writers and editors, and special guests. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Culture chat: ‘Wicked’ hits the high notes

    Today, we’re taking on the much-hyped film adaptation of the musical smash Wicked. Starring Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Jeff Goldblum, the story is a loose prequel to The Wizard of Oz, following its two star witches before they become Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West. Why is this film such a big deal? How does it hold up to the Broadway show? And what makes a musical work well onscreen? Lilah is joined by the FT’s Anna Nicolaou and Eric Platt, who attended the New York premiere together, to discuss. ------- The show is ending, and we’re collecting your cultural questions. We have access to critics, reporters, producers and experts. What’s rolling around in your head? Let Lilah know by email at lilahrap@ft.com or on Instagram @lilahrap. And – thank you. ------- Links (all FT links get you past the paywall):  – The FT’s four star review of Wicked is here: https://on.ft.com/3CDHvgW  – Anna is listening to The Good Whale, a New York Times podcast about the whale from Free Willy – Eric does not recommend the show House of Villains – available on E! and Hayu – but Lilah and Anna think it sounds pretty good – Anna Nicolaou is on Instagram @annanicolaou. Eric is on Bluesky, Instagram and X @EricGPlatt ------- Original music by Metaphor Music. Clips copyright Universal Pictures Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 min
  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    Culture chat: ‘Anora’, the unlikely film leading the Oscar race

    Today we’re talking about Anora, the new critical darling about the whirlwind romance between a Brooklyn sex worker and the hell-raising son of a Russian oligarch. The film follows the couple’s chaotic week together, their impulsive marriage, and what happens when the oligarchs hear the news and demand an annulment. It’s directed by Sean Baker, known for The Florida Project and Tangerine. It won the Cannes prestigious Palme d'Or award and is tipped as an Oscar winner. Who holds the power in the film? And why do people love it? FT film critic Danny Leigh and deputy news editor India Ross join Lilah to discuss.  ------- We love hearing from you. Lilah is on Instagram @lilahrap, and email at lilahrap@ft.com. And we’re grateful for reviews on Apple and Spotify! ------- Links (all FT links get you past the paywall):  – Danny Leigh’s interview with director Sean Baker is here: https://on.ft.com/3YJXqBF  – His five-star review of Anora is here: https://on.ft.com/40PEFzc  – Danny recommends Andrea Arnold’s Bird and the documentary Soundtrack to a Coup d'etat. India mentioned the film American Honey – Here’s Lilah’s piece about the Met’s employee art show: https://on.ft.com/4ewTl9R ------- FT subscribers can share your suggestions for Woman of the Year 2024 in the comments here, before November 25. Who has had a big year, in your industry and elsewhere? Who has earned accolades, accomplished remarkable things, made huge strides, produced important work or set records? Who has shaped this year?  ------- Clips copyright Neon and FilmNation Entertainment Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 min
  3. 8 NOV

    Our critics’ best advice for how to discover new music

    Today, we explore how to discover new music. Despite having access to more music than ever before, many of us are still falling back on the same old stuff. The algorithms may be pushing us toward uniformity, but how do we break out of the echo chamber? FT pop critic Ludo Hunter-Tilney and music and culture writer Arwa Haider join Lilah to share advice for finding new artists, and recommend new music that they love. ------- We love hearing from you. Lilah is on Instagram @lilahrap. We’re on X @lifeandartpod and on email at lifeandart@ft.com. We are grateful for reviews on Apple and Spotify. And please share this episode with your friends! ------- Links (all FT links get you past the paywall):  – You can find all of the artists mentioned today in this playlist we made for you here. – Arwa Haider’s playlist is here. – Ludo Hunter-Tilney’s latest review of the electronic music duo Xeno & Oaklander’s new album, Via Negativa, is here. We also love his interview with Irish-language hip-hop band Kneecap. – Here’s Arwa’s interview with Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora.  – You can follow Ludo on X @ludohunter. Arwa is on Instagram @arwa.haider and X @ArwaHaider  ------ Original music by Metaphor Music. Music clips from Asylum, Abu Recordings and Felukah, Speedy Wunderground / PIAS, Defjam Recordings / Polydor Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
  4. 1 NOV

    Culture Chat: the bonkbuster world of ‘Rivals’

    Today we head to Rutshire, to take a crack at the frothy, riotous TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s 1980s romance novel, Rivals. The eight-episode series follows a cluster of posh English country-dwellers – including TV executive Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) and local heartthrob Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) — as they bonk and bust their way around the Cotswolds. Shoulder pads, extramarital affairs and messy dinner parties abound. But what is the show really about: Class? Sex? The 80s? Lilah is joined by the FT's Robert Shrimsley and Harriet Fitch Little to discuss.  ------- We love hearing from you. Lilah is on Instagram @lilahrap, and email at lilahrap@ft.com. And we’re grateful for reviews on Apple and Spotify! ------- Links (all FT links get you past the paywall):  –  Rivals is out now on Disney+ in the UK, and Hulu in the US. You can read the FT’s four star review here: https://on.ft.com/40sqQa6  – Robert Shrimsley’s column, ‘Were the 80s as much fun as Jilly Cooper says?’ is here: https://on.ft.com/4f5PcL8  – We also love Jo Ellison’s recent column, ‘Jilly Cooper’s Britain: the bad sex world capital’: https://on.ft.com/3Uvj0Zt  – Robert is on X @robertshrimsley. Harriet is on X @HarrietFL and Instagram @huffffle  ------- Original music by Metaphor Music. Clips copyright Disney. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 min

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About

Life and Art from FT Weekend is the twice-weekly culture podcast of the Financial Times. On Monday, we talk about life, and how to live a good one in one-on-one conversations. On Friday, we talk about ‘art’ – in a chat show. Three FT journalists come together to discuss a new cultural release across film, TV, music and books. Hosted by Lilah Raptopoulos, together with the FT’s award-winning writers and editors, and special guests. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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