On Demand
The Leonard Lopate Show
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Still from Johnathan Demme's documentary "Right to Return"Understanding the Aftermath
Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme tells us about filming a series of documentaries about people struggling to recover in post-Katrina New Orleans. But first, we get an update on Laos on our first Underreported feature. Then, we take a look at Japan's pro-whaling campaign. And Nathan Englander tells us about his debut novel about Jews in a troubled Buenos Aires. Plus, the life of Ralph Ellison--before and after Invisible Man.
Underreported: The Legacy of the War in Laos
During the Vietnam War, the CIA used Laos to launch secret operations, which in turn led to mass bombings and destruction there. And after the 1975 Communist takeover, hundreds of thousands of Laotians who had aided the Americans had to flee the country for fear of retribution. On today's first Underreported, we find out what has happened to those who left. Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath are director and co-director of the documentary film "Nerakhoun," about Thavisouk's long and difficult journey from war-torn Laos to Brooklyn.
Nerakhoun airs at BAM on Saturday, June 9 at noon as part of the Sundance Institute at BAM.
Underreported: Laos, Japan, and the Future of Whaling
Laos has agreed to join the International Whaling Commission at Japan's request, and is very likely to support Tokyo's pro-whaling campaign. Yet Laos is landlocked and has no whaling interests. On the second part of today's Underreported, we look into allegations that Japan is plying poorer countries with aid...in exchange for pro-whaling votes in the upcoming IWC meeting in Alaska. Joel Reynolds, Marine Mammals Expert for the NRDC, joins us.
Jonathan Demme Documents Post-Katrina New Orleans
Jonathan Demme is best known as the director of movies like “Silence of the Lambs” and "The Manchurian Candidate." He tells us about his most recent documentary project "Right of Return": filming real-life stories of people struggling to recover in post-Katrina New Orleans.
The Ministry of Special Cases
Nathan Englander tells us about his debut novel The Ministry of Special Cases, about a Jewish family living in Buenos Aires as they learn to deal with life under a new regime.
The Ministry of Special Cases is available for purchase at amazon.com
Ralph Ellison: A Biography
In his new biography, Arnold Rampersad talks about how Ralph Ellison's first and only novel, Invisible Man, shaped his life.
Ralph Ellison is available for purchase at amazon.com
Events: Arnold Rampersad will be speakingThursday, May 24 at 6:30 pm
The Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue, at 103rd Street
For tickets, visit the Museum’s website.
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National Book Award Winners
The Leonard Lopate Show
A number of this year’s National Book Award winners have appeared on The Leonard Lopate Show. Click here to see the list!
Tributes: Jeanne-Claude
The Leonard Lopate Show
Jeanne-Claude created environmental works of art with her husband and fellow-conspirator/collaborator Christo. Together, they wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin, the Pont-Neuf in Paris, and created The Gates, with billowy orange drapes, in Central Park. Jeanne-Claude just died at the age of 74. You can hear Leonard Lopate’s last interview with them both, from July 19, 1999.
Video Pick: David Chang on Momofuku
The Leonard Lopate Show
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Please Explain: Eco-Labels
The Leonard Lopate Show
Your broccoli, shampoo, and air conditioner might bear labels declaring them to be organic, cruelty-free, or energy efficient, but what do those labels mean and are they true? Dr. Urvashi Rangan, Project Director for Consumer Reports' GreenerChoices.org and Consumers Union’s Senior Scientist for Policy Initiatives, and Dara O'Rourke, founder and CEO of GoodGuide.com, took a look at what eco-labels indicate, how standards are set, and what they mean for consumers and manufacturers around the world.
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Our 3-ingredient Challenge wins a James Beard Award
The Leonard Lopate Show
On May 3, the Lopate Show won its third James Beard Award for our 3-ingredient challenge. In August, we asked our listeners to call in and name 3 ingredients and then challenged New York chef and 3-ingredient expert Rozanne Gold to whip up a recipe! You can listen to the 3-ingredient challenge and get some inspiration for simple, delicious, and unexpected dishes.