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A Dark Comedy Is Bolstered by Warmth and Optimism

Film critic John Powers reviews "Secrets and Lies," a film from director Mike Leigh. It won the top prize at this year's Cannes Film festival in May. The movie features actresses Brenda Blethyn and Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who were recently featured on Fresh Air.

04:16
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Other segments from the episode on October 4, 1996

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, October 4, 1996: Interview with Eddi Palmieri; Interview with A.S. Byatt; Review of the film "Secrets & Lies."
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21:55

The "Madman" of Latin Music

Bandleader and pianist Eddie Palmieri. Through his first band, La Perfecta, labeled "the band with the crazy roaring elephants," Palmieri was credited with originating Latin jazz's trombone sound in New York during the sixties. He has a new CD "Vortex" by RMM Records. (Originally aired 6/20/94)

Interview
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21:14

A. S. Byatt on How Language Can Divide Us

Byatt is known by many Americans for "Possession," a Booker Prize-winning Victorian novel published here in 1990. Her most recent novel is "Babel Tower." Set in the turbulent 1960s, the book is about Frederica, a young woman involved in a divorce and custody suit, as well as the prosecution of an "obscene" book. "Babel Tower" is the third book in a planned quartet of novels set in different mid-century time frames. (Originally aired 6/6/96)

Interview

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08:55

British Movie Director Mike Leigh

In the United States, Leigh's best known for his more recent films "Life is Sweet" "High Hopes" and "Naked." But he's been making movies for British television and theatre for nearly 30 years. His social-realist comedies depict British working class life. He begins work on his films without a script, piecing them together from improvisations with his cast. His latest is "Secrets & Lies."

Interview

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