Arts and Culture

Fresh Air

• Friendship and Idealism in 'Reprise'
  <em>Fresh Air</em> film critic David Edelstein reviews <em>Reprise</em>, the first feature film by Norwegian writer and director Joachim Trier. The movie tells the story of two aspiring authors whose adolescent idealism is crushed by literary success.
• Remembering The Hacienda Bros. Chris Gaffney
  Chris Gaffney, vocalist and accordion player for the Hacienda Brothers, died last week from liver cancer at the age of 57.
• An Israeli Journalist's Take on Christian Zionism
  Israeli journalist Gershom Gorenberg discusses the Christian Zionist movement, which teaches that the rebirth of Israel is a prelude to the second coming of Jesus Christ &mdash; and the end of the world.
• Pastor John Hagee on Christian Zionism, Katrina
  John Hagee believes the end of days, the Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ are imminent. He says that the rebirth of Israel and the restoration of Jerusalem are a prelude to the return of the Lord.
• Scott McCartney on Air Travelers' Turbulent Times
  Air travel keeps getting more confusing, frustrating and expensive, says columnist Scott McCartney. McCartney, who's covered the industry for 12 years at <em>The Wall Street Journal</em>, writes the paper's "Middle Seat" column.
• Two Divas, Both Alike in Mononyms
  <em>Fresh Air</em> rock critic Ken Tucker reviews two albums from two one-named singers: Madonna's <em>Hard Candy</em> and the self-titled release from Swedish pop singer Robyn.
• Suze Rotolo: Of Dylan, New York and Art
  Artist Suze Rotolo &mdash; the woman walking beside Bob Dylan on the album cover for <em>The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan</em> &mdash; was Dylan's girlfriend in the '60s. She's written about the relationship, and about that era's New York, in a new memoir.
• In 'Spies for Hire,' U.S. Security Gets Outsourced
  It's become a $50 billion a year industry: Corporations like Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, and IBM are being paid to do things the CIA, the National Security Agency and the Pentagon usually do, including analysis, covert operations, electronic surveillance and reconnaissance.
• Memoir Unveils Life, Love in the Middle East
  In her book <em>Unveiled</em>, Deborah Kanafani recounts her marriage and divorce to a high-ranking Palestinian diplomat &mdash; and the cultural rift between her "American" upbringing and her married life.
• Writer Kasra Naji on Ahmadinejad's 'Secret History'
  Iran's president was relatively unknown on the international stage before he was elected, but he's a standard-bearer for a new generation of hardliners. In a new biography, journalist Kasra Naji explores Ahmadinejad's rise to power, his complex character and his motivations.
• Veteran Peacemakers O'Malley, Maharaj on Iraq
  Veteran peace negotiator Padraig O'Malley worked on the conflicts in Northern Ireland and South Africa. Mac Maharaj played a role in the latter nation's anti-apartheid movement. Both took part in recent closed-door negotiations in Finland, aimed at bringing reconciliation among rival factions in Iraq.
• Nuala O'Faolain, Journalist and Author, Dead at 68
  The celebrated Irish memoirist, who had been battling lung cancer, died May 9. Her 1996 memoir &mdash; about growing up poor in the Ireland of the '40s and '50s &mdash; became a best-seller. Terry Gross talked to her in 2001.
• Frank Sinatra's Life and Legacy
  Record producer and Sinatra historian Charles Granada discusses his book <em>Sessions With Sinatra: Frank Sinatra And The Art of Recording</em> and the box set &mdash; <em>Frank Sinatra: The Best of the Columbia Years 1943-1952</em> &mdash; he helped to create.
• Fighting to Pay the Bills in 'Redbelt'
  <em>Fresh Air</em> film critic David Edelstein reviews <em>Redbelt</em>, the new martial-arts film written and directed by David Mamet. The film tells the story of a principled martial-arts master who steps into the professional fighting ring to save his business.
• Emmanuel Jal: From Child Soldier to Rising Star
  At 8 years old, Emmanuel Jal was carrying an AK-47 rifle as a child soldier in the Sudan People's Liberation Army. Taken from battle and adopted by a British aid worker, he is now a rising international music star. He discusses his experiences and music. Jal's new album is titled <em>Warchild</em>.

Driveway Moment

• This American Life
• Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen
• BBC Arts in Action