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Cooper Raiff wrote and directed 'Cha Cha Real Smooth.' He's also the party starter

NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben speaks with writer, actor and director Cooper Raiff about his new film, "Cha Cha Real Smooth," about a college graduate who becomes a "party starter."

Cooper Raiff wrote and directed 'Cha Cha Real Smooth.' He's also the party starter

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Emma Thompson on her new film — and the idea the female orgasm has to be performative

Daryl McCormack and Emma Thompson star in the film, Good Luck To You, Leo Grande. Nick Wall/Searchlight Pictures hide caption

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Movies

Emma Thompson on her new film — and the idea the female orgasm has to be performative

In her new film, Thompson portrays a widow who reckons with her own sexual discovery in an experience she calls "irresistibly delicious."

Emma Thompson on her new film — and the idea the female orgasm has to be performative

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Remembering character actor Philip Baker Hall

Fresh Air

Hall, who died June 12, appeared in the Paul Thomas Anderson films Boogie Nights and Magnolia. He also played a cop on the trail of overdue library books on Seinfeld. Originally broadcast in 2003.

Remembering character actor Philip Baker Hall

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Estefan and Garcia play parents 'of the Bride' in new adaptation of classic film

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Andy Garcia and Gloria Estefan about their new movie Father of the Bride, which is a fresh take on a familiar story: Dad finds out his daughter is getting married.

Estefan and Garcia play parents 'of the Bride' in new adaptation of classic film

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'Hustle' is Jeremiah Zagar's love letter to basketball fans in Philadelphia

Jeremiah Zagar speaks onstage during Netflix's Hustle Philadelphia special screening on June 7 in Philadelphia. Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Netflix hide caption

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Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Netflix

'Hustle' is Jeremiah Zagar's love letter to basketball fans in Philadelphia

Many of the actors who star alongside Adam Sandler in the new basketball movie Hustle are real NBA athletes. NPR's Cheryl W. Thompson talks with director Jeremiah Zagar about the film.

'Hustle' is Jeremiah Zagar's love letter to basketball fans in Philadelphia

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'Benediction' illustrates the impact of WWI on Siegfried Sassoon's haunting poetry

Scott Simon talks with director Terence Davies about the new film "Benediction." It's on the life of English poet Siegfried Sassoon, one of the leading poets of World War I.

'Benediction' illustrates the impact of WWI on Siegfried Sassoon's haunting poetry

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Performing Arts

Julie Andrews says she's not the squeaky clean lady you might expect

Fresh Air

The Sound of Music star will soon be honored with the AFI's Life Achievement Award. In 2008 and 2019, she spoke to Fresh Air about growing up during WWII and performing in her parents' vaudeville.

Julie Andrews says she's not the squeaky clean lady you might expect

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Joel Kim Booster on making a queer, Asian American 'Pride and Prejudice'

Conrad Ricamora and Joel Kim Booster in the film Fire Island. Jeong Park/Searchlight Pictures hide caption

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It's Been a Minute

Joel Kim Booster on making a queer, Asian American 'Pride and Prejudice'

The first time Joel Kim Booster vacationed on New York's Fire Island with his friend, comedian Bowen Yang, he brought with him Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice as a beach read. Over the years, he'd often joke with friends about making a gay version of the novel. Today Booster is the writer and star of Hulu's Fire Island, a queer, Asian romcom based on Austen's classic, set in the titular gay vacation spot. Booster talks with guest host Elise Hu about how the film honors his queer friendships, subverts hetero romcom norms, and tells a personal story that feels universal.

Joel Kim Booster on making a queer, Asian American 'Pride and Prejudice'

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Remembering 'Goodfellas' actor Ray Liotta

Fresh Air

Liotta, who died May 26, started out playing a nice guy on a soap opera. Then came his tough-guy roles in Something Wild and Goodfellas. He was also in Field of Dreams. Originally broadcast in 2016.

Remembering 'Goodfellas' actor Ray Liotta

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Julian Fellowes of 'Downton Abbey' says misery isn't 'compulsory' in entertainment

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Downton Abbey executive producer Julian Fellowes about the latest chapter in the Crawley family's story, Downton Abbey: A New Era.

Julian Fellowes of 'Downton Abbey' says misery isn't 'compulsory' in entertainment

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A millionaire wanted to give away his money. 'Dear Mr. Brody' shows how it went awry

Scott Simon speaks with Keith Maitland, director of the documentary "Dear Mr. Brody," about a young millionaire who pledged to give his fortune away in 1970.

A millionaire wanted to give away his money. 'Dear Mr. Brody' shows how it went awry

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