Professor of international law Christian Tomuschat, headed the Historical Clarification Commission on Guatemala, a United Nations-supported truth commission on human rights abuses in Guatemala during that country's 36 year civil war. A peace treaty was signed in Guatemala in 1996. The report was issued last month. It finds that the U.S. agencies knew far more about atrocities committed by the Guatemalan Army and its death squads than the United States acknowledged.
Political anthropologist Jennifer Schirmer. Beginning in 1986, she interviewed Guatemalan military officials of all different levels, getting them to talk about their participation in atrocities. Her new book based on that research is "The Guatemalan Military Project: A Violence called Democracy." (University of Pennsylvania Press)
Tuvan throat singer Ondar and producer Ralph Leighton. Tuvan throat singing is a biphonic sound in which the performer produces two or three distinct tones at the same time. It originates from Tuva. Leighton co-produced Ondar's debut CD, "Back Tuva Future" (Warner Bros/Reprise)
Writer Evan Hunter. Under his own name he is the author of "The Blackboard Jungle," and "Privileged Conversation." He also wrote the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock's film "The Birds" (based on the Daphne Du Maurier short story). (WE WILL TALK WITH HIM AT ANOTHER TIME ABOUT HIS WORK WITH HITCHCOCK) Under the pseudonym Ed McBain, he is the author of a series of mystery novels for which he won the British Crime Writers Association's highest award, the Diamond Dagger, and the Mystery Writers of America's Grand Master Award.
Screenwriters Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard. The two wrote the screenplay for "Shakespeare in Love" which has been nominated for an Academy Award for best original screenplay. Norman's other screenwriting credits include "The Aviator" and "Waterworld." Stoppard is also the playwright of "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead," and "Travesties." His screenwriting credits include: "Brazil," "The Empire of the Son," and "Billy Bathgate."
Writer Gail Godwin. Her latest novel "Evensong" (Ballintine) is about the inner spirituality of a modern woman and continues the story of Margaret Bonner began in "Father Melancholy's Daughter." Godwin's other books include "The Odd Woman," "Violet Clay," and "A Mother and Two Daughters." Godwin is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and the 1981 Award in Literature from the National Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.
Writer Andre Dubus died this week. Dubus' short stories earned him numerous awards, including a MacArthur award, a Rea Award, and a Bernard Malamud Award from the writers group, PEN. An accident in 1986 left Dubus wheelchair bound, he later said his condition helped him get rid of his fears, it also made its way into his writing. Dubus short stories gained wide attention in the years following the accident. (REBROADCAST from 6/25/91)
Guitarist Mickey Baker. The 74 year old musician is about to receive a pioneer award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation for his work as a sideman on hundreds of recordings of R&B and rock & roll records from the 50's and 60's. He recorded with Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Ruth Brown, and many more. The Awards banquet takes place in L.A. February 25th. (The Rhythm and Blues Foundation is located in Washington D.C.)
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews two art shows of important 17th century painters: one by the Dutch painter Pieter de Hooch at the Wadsworth Athenaeum in Hartford thru March 14th, and a Caravaggio exhibit at Boston College through May 24th.
Playwright, novelist, and screenwriter Paul Rudnick. His new play "The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told" looks at God and Creation from a gay perspective. (It's playing at the Minetta Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village in New York City). Rudnick also wrote the plays as "I Hate Hamlet," "The Naked Eye," and "Jeffrey." And he wrote the screenplays for "Addams Family Values" and "In & Out."
Novelist Elmore Leonard. "Be Cool" (Delacorte Press) is his newest book. It continues the story of Chili Palmer, the small time Brooklyn crook in "Get Shorty" who became a Hollywood movie producer. John Travolta played Chili in the movie version. "Be Cool" has Palmer dabbling in the music industry. It's also soon to be a new film.
Film director and writer Wes Anderson. The 29 year old director has a short but impressive list of films to his credit: "Bottle Rocket" and this year's "Rushmore." Both are offbeat films, with a love of character and idiosyncrasies. Both films were written by ANDERSON and his writing partner Owen Wilson. "Rushmore" stars Bill Murray.
Chicago soul/blues singer Otis Clay. The Mississippi native got his training in gospel. As a teenager he joined the gospel/pop harmony group Blue Jay Quartet, and then worked with a number of gospel groups. In the 1960s he signed with One-derful Records and recorded the singles, "Tired of Falling In and Out of Love," "A Flame in Your Heart" and "Got to Find a Way." Later he signed with Hi Records and recorded the hit "Trying to Live My Life Without You." His newest release is "This Time Around" (Bullseye).
Journalist Patrick Cockburn (CO-BURN). He's been a senior Middle East Correspondent for the Financial Times and the London Independent. He's the co-author of the new book, "Out of the Ashes: The Resurrection of Saddam Hussein" (HarperCollins). He'll discuss the bombing campaign against Iraq, Saddam's hold on power, the royal family and more.
