Life and Art from FT Weekend

Discover the best books for your summer reading, from fiction to non-fiction to audiobooks. Dive into intriguing genres like open marriage, British love stories, and thrilling beach reads. Find out top picks James by Percival Everett and Knife by Salman Rushdie. Explore diverse recommendations, including a memoir by Hilary Mantel and a children's classic by Roberto Piumini.

Film critic Nicolas Rapold and FT's editor Topher Forhecz discuss Yorgos Lanthimos' new film 'Kinds of Kindness' and its dark, inaccessible weirdness. They debate if the movie is grotesque in a good or bad way, and explore the 'Lanthimos vibe'. The podcast also touches on the challenges of unconventional cinema formats and mainstream success, as well as the balance between cruelty and humor in storytelling.

FT Weekend columnist Nilanjana Roy shares how literature can help ease election anxiety. She recommends books like 'Raag Darbari' and 'A Suitable Boy' to provide historical context and calm political stresses. The podcast discusses global elections, Indian politics, authoritarian regimes, and ways literature can inspire hope in uncertain times.

Henry Mance and Raphael Abraham discuss the new Federer documentary, questioning if he's too boring for a film. They ponder on the next tennis stars, dissecting the legacy of Federer. The conversation touches on Jannik Sinner and Boris Becker, recommending Problemista and Creation Lake.

Martin Wolf, a respected writer on economics and politics, discusses rethinking old age. He advocates for a better approach to aging as people live longer. The podcast explores societal challenges of an aging population, the importance of staying active in old age, and rethinking retirement age and work structures. They also delve into the concept of multiple careers, embracing diversity in the workplace, and approaching aging generations. The episode ends with reflections on wisdom and gratitude towards the guest.

FT Weekend Magazine editor Matt Vella and deputy editor Cordelia Jenkins discuss Shakespeare's enduring relevance, mysteries, live plays, and summer festivals. They explore personal connections, King Lear in theater, love for Shakespeare, 90s movies' depth, Love Island ties to Shakespeare, and relaxing sound baths.

The podcast discusses building the world of 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga', exploring the intricacies of set design, the iconic War Rig, and the creative process behind the Mad Max films. Art director Jacinta Leong provides insights into the detailed planning and reuse of vehicles, showcasing the evolution of characters and reflecting on the lessons learned from working on the films.

Today, in a first for our Friday chat show, we take on a video game! Two avid gamers join us to discuss What Remains of Edith Finch: novelist Naomi Alderman and FT political columnist Stephen Bush. The game follows the title character as she returns to her childhood home to discover what happened to her family. And it’s considered a model for what storytelling games can do. Naomi is the author of bestselling novels The Power and The Future, and a game designer herself. So does Edith Finch hold up? And what can games teach those of us creating in other mediums? -------We love hearing from you. Lilah is on Instagram @lilahrap. We’re on X @lifeandartpod and email at lifeandart@ft.com. -------Links (all FT links get you past the paywall): – Naomi Alderman is the author of novels including The Power (2016) and The Future (2023). You can find her games, including Zombies, Run! and Doctor Who: Borrowed Time, here.  – A recent FT magazine piece, ‘Are video games coming for the novel?’ by Imogen West-Knights: https://on.ft.com/4e8qIkk – Stephen Bush on why UK politicians should value video game designers: https://on.ft.com/4e1rGPc – Naomi is on X @NaomiAllthenews and Stephen Bush is @stephenkb. Stephen also writes the FT’s daily Inside Politics newsletter. Sign up here for witty, insightful UK election coverage– For those who are looking to get into games, Stephen and Naomi recommend Disco Elysium (2019), Flower (2009) and Citizen Sleeper (2022). – Naomi recommends Leech by Hiron Ennes-------Special FT subscription offers for Life and Art listeners are here: http://ft.com/lifeandartRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining the podcast are Caitlin Clark, a college basketball star, and Sara Germano, FT’s US sports business correspondent. They discuss the rise in popularity of women’s basketball, with the WNBA seeing a surge in viewers and fans. The impact on culture and empowerment of young girls through the sport is explored, along with the importance of fan engagement and community support.

US financial editor Brooke Masters and work and careers writer Emma J discuss the popularity of 'Bridgerton' and what draws us to period dramas. They explore the show's self-awareness, evolving themes, and societal norms, questioning its current earnestness. The panel also touches on unrealistic beauty standards in the series and indulges in cultural desires such as maple syrup recipes and musical adaptations. A fun and insightful chat about the hit Netflix show!