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Updike interview part 1

Description: Parts of a series of interviews with John Updike. First interview is about his interest in visual art and his experience drawing. He comments on cartoons and modernism. After a long pause in footage, there is a discussion between Updike and Lydon, while the cutaways are being shot. The second interview is about Eastern European writers, during which he mentions Danilo Kis, Bruno Schulz, and Milan Kundera. Tape ends with an extended shot of Updike's book "Just Looking." part 1 of 2.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 12/21/1989

Updike interview, Part 2

Description: Studio interview with John Updike about Eastern European writers. He recommends Yugoslav writer Danilo Kis, although it might be hard to find in bookstores. He also talks about a Polish writers including Bruno Schulz. He compares Polish poets and prose writer. He talks about the work of Milan Kundera. He describes Eastern Europeans writers' situation and their often surreal styles sometimes resulting in "magical realism."
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 12/22/1989

Walcott and Heaney, Part 1

Description: Interview with St. Lucian poet Derek Walcott and Irish poet Seamus Heaney about the poetry of American poet Robert Penn Warren. Lydon, Walcott, and Heaney discuss the best format for the interview. Walcott and Heany comment on Penn Warren's appointment as US Poet Laureate. Walcott comments on the excellence of Penn Warren's recent work. Heaney talks about the significance of US history in Penn Warren's work. Walcott and Heaney discuss regionalism in Penn Warren's work, and the appropriateness of appointing a poet laureate. Walcott reads from Penn Warren's poem, "Caribou." Tape 1 of 2.
1:00:00: Visual: Derek Walcott (West Indian poet) and Seamus Heaney (Irish poet) sit among shelves of books, along with Christopher Lydon. Walcott and Heaney are studying books. Walcott and Lydon discuss which poem he should read. Heaney studies his book. Heaney and Walcott joke about whether a poetry reading can be "hot TV." Lydon, Walcott and Heaney discuss the format of the TV segment. Lydon tells the poets to discuss the work and life of Robert Penn Warren (American poet). Walcott and Heaney talk about how they will discuss his work. Lydon asks Walcott about the appointment of Penn Warren as US Poet Laureate. Walcott says that some find the idea of a poet laureate ridiculous; that there is a very old tradition of elevating a poet to represent his people; that the nomination of Penn Warren is in no way amusing or ridiculous. Walcott says that the nomination is the crowning achievement of Penn Warren's career; that Penn Warren has written his most powerful work in his old age. Walcott says that Penn Warren's recent achievements merit recognition; that Penn Warren's work should be considered for a Nobel Prize. Lydon asks Walcott to describe Penn Warren's poetry. Walcott says that he used to be cautious in his appreciation for Penn Warren; that he used to feel that there was too much of "the novelist" in Penn Warren's poetry. Walcott says that Penn Warren has found great vigor in his old age; that his recent poetry is noteworthy. Walcott talks about the clarity and elation in Penn Warren's work. 1:05:51: V: Lydon asks Heaney about Penn Warren. Heaney says that Penn Warren has not "broken faith with the historical experience"; that the American historical experience has been central to his work. Heaney says that the US could not have chosen a better poet laureate; that Penn Warren's work produces history and is a reaction to history. Heaney refers to Penn Warren's literary ambitions. Heaney says that American history and destiny is a large part of Penn Warren's work; that Penn Warren shoulders "large poetic responsibilities" in his work. Heaney says that it is proper for Penn Warren to be honored by the US; that Penn Warren has honored the nation through his work. Lydon asks Heaney to talk about the history in Penn Warren's work. Heaney talks about the relation between poet and region in Penn Warren's work. Heaney notes that Penn Warren was one of the Fugitives (a group of Southern poets); that Penn Warren carefully the relationship between "a literary career and a communal destiny." Heaney says that Penn Warren wrote as if his poetry had a responsibility to the larger culture; that there is "roughage" and "subject matter" in the poetry of Penn Warren. Heaney refers to the recent poem, Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, which focuses on the treatment of Native Americans in the nineteenth century. Heaney says that Penn Warren does not "wilt in the face of history;" that many poets shy away from facing history. Heaney notes that Penn Warren's poetry has a "large voice;" that Penn Warren has risen to the challenge of history. 1:11:02: V: Lydon asks if there is a contradiction in appointing one poet to represent the diverse people and regions of the US. Walcott says that the image of a hawk is recurrent in Penn Warren's poetry; that Penn Warren is like an old hawk; that Penn Warren is fierce and gentle. Walcott says that Penn Warren is hawk-like in his observations of American culture; that Penn Warren writes about regions of the country which are familiar to him; that Penn Warren has observed those regions from a great distance and has contemplated their meanings. Walcott says that Penn Warren has a gift; that Penn Warren has used that gift to examine a fairly modest range of experience. Walcott says that Penn Warren is rooted in his region and personal experience; that he is able to examine the horizons of that experience. Walcott notes that Penn Warren has expressed the "guilt" and the "conscience" of the South. 1:14:27: V: Heaney notes that there is an "imperial" theme in the appointment of a poet laureate by the US government; that the government seems to be trying to "furbish its image." Heaney wonders if there is a political motive in the appointment of a poet laureate. Heaney says that a poet's power needs to be kept pure; that "the poetic intelligence of a country" needs to serve as an alternative government. Heaney wonders if the appointment is an attempt to co-opt the conscience of the "alternative government." Heaney changes the subject, saying that American poets are well-suited to be poet laureates; that American poetry has a tradition of "visionary writing"; that American poets are challenged to include the scope of the country in their writing. Heaney refers to the poetry of Walt Whitman as an example of "visionary writing" or "public poetry." He notes that the poetry of Emily Dickinson is more inward-looking. 1:17:21: V: Lydon asks each poet to read some of Penn Warren's work. Walcott chooses the poem Caribou. Walcott says that the poem exemplifies Penn Waren's clarity of vision. Walcott says that the voice in the poem describes the caribou and looks down on them from a great height. Walcott reads the poem. Walcott, Heaney and Lydon comment on the beauty of the poem when Walcott has finished reading it.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/28/1986

Walcott and Heaney, Part 2

Description: Second half of interview with St. Lucian poet Derek Walcott and Irish poet Seamus Heaney about the poetry of American poet Robert Penn Warren. Heaney reads Penn Warren's poem, "Tell Me a Story." Walcott talks about his friendship with Penn Warren's daughter Rosanna Phelps Warren, who is also a poet, and his personal impressions of Robert Penn Warren. Walcott reads a draft of his own poem "On the Indian Trail," which he wrote about them. Walcott and Heaney joke around while shooting cutaways. Shots of Lydon (no audio) for cutaways.
1:00:08: Visual: Derek Walcott (West Indian poet) and Seamus Heaney (Irish poet) sit among shelves of books, along with Christopher Lydon. Walcott and Heaney discuss and read from the work of Robert Penn Warren (American poet). Heaney talks about Penn Warren's poem, Tell Me A Story. Heaney says that the poem touches him deeply; that the poem achieves "stillness" through language. Heaney says that the poem expresses a deep, lyric, intimate moment. Heaney reads the poem, Tell Me A Story. Lydon thanks Heaney. 1:01:58: V: Lydon and Heaney encourage Walcott to read another poem. Walcott says that he is friendly with Rosanna Warren (Penn Warren's daughter); that Rosanna Warren is a poet. Walcott says that he has met Penn Warren and his family through Rosanna Warren. Walcott says that Penn Warren has great strength and kindness; that there is a nobility in Penn Warren. Walcott says that he has written a draft of a poem called, On the Indian Trail. Walcott says that he did not write this poem because of Penn Warren's appointment as Poet Laureate. Walcott says that he did not know that the poem would be about Penn Warren when he started writing; that he imagined an old man in the middle of a stream with someone watching him. Walcott says that he realized that the figures in the poem corresponded to Penn Warren and Rosanna Warren; that the poem is a tribute to them both. Walcott notes that the poem was written for Eleanor Clark (novelist and Penn Warren's wife). Walcott reads his poem, On the Indian Trail. Lydon and Heaney compliment Walcott on his poem. Walcott and Heaney share a joke. Heaney asks if taping session is over and prepares to take off his microphone. 1:06:14: The crew takes cutaway shots of Walcott, Heaney and Lydon.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 02/28/1986

Winnie Mandela at 12th Baptist Church

Description: Winnie Mandela speaks to churchgoers at the Twelfth Baptist Church. South African exile Themba Vilakazi stands by her side. Children from the congregation stand at the front of the church. Mandela talks about the importance of love and says that South Africans must relearn the values taken for granted by the rest of the world. She talks about the political climate in apartheid South Africa and about how South African children suffered under the apartheid regime. Mandela thanks the audience for supporting the black South Africans in their quest for liberation. The audience applauds for Mandela. Mandela embraces Reverend Michael Haynes. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Byron Rushing campaigns for re-election
1:00:05: V: Footage of Reverend Michael Haynes (Twelfth Baptist Church) speaking from the pulpit of the Twelfth Baptist Church. Shots of two African American women seated in a pew. Haynes sings from the pulpit accompanied by a choir standing behind him. A group of African American children file toward the front of the church. The church attendees stand and applaud, then seat themselves. Footage of Winnie Mandela (wife of South African leader Nelson Mandela) speaking to the congregation. Themba Vilakazi (South African exile) stands by her side. Mandela thanks the congregation for their warm reception. Mandela says that the kind of love shown by the congregation does not exist in South Africa. Mandela says that the people of South Africa must relearn the values taken for granted by the rest of the democratic world. Shot of an African American man in the audience. Mandela says that South Africans must relearn how to love one another, themselves, and their children. Mandela says that apartheid has deprived South African children of their childhood. Mandela tells the children in the congregation that they are lucky to grow up in a loving community. Shots of two young girls sitting in the audience. Mandela says that South Africans have lost faith in God; that they must restore their faith in God. Mandela says that South Africans wonder why God has let them suffer for so long. Mandela says that South African mothers did not know how to teach their children to love; that South African mothers could not teach their children the difference between wrong and right. Mandela says that most black South Africans have spent time in jail for political crimes; that South African children do not learn that people go to jail for doing something wrong. Mandela says that people who have not spent time in jail may be sympathizers with the government. Shots of a group of African-American children standing at the front of the church. Mandela says that South Africans have a lot to learn from the congregation. Mandela talks about Hector Peterson. Mandela says that Peterson was seven years old when he was killed by South African government forces; that Peterson was the first victim during an uprising in 1976. Mandela says that the white government had passed a law calling for black children to be taught in the Afrikaaner language; that Peterson was among a group of children protesting the law. Mandela says that people should have the right to protest in a democratic society. Mandela says that thousands of South African children were killed while protesting against apartheid. Mandela thanks the congregation for recognizing the efforts made by South Africans for liberation. Mandela says that liberation in South Africa means liberation in the US. Shot of an African American woman seated in the audience. Mandela raises her clenched fist. She embraces Haynes. The members of the audience applaud and rise to their feet.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/22/1990

Yo-Yo Ma

Description: Profile of cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Interview with Ma on his childhood playing. Ma plays a piece in his Cambridge living room. Ma talks about being a cello soloist and the small amount of music written for the cello. Interview with Benjamin Zander on working with Ma. Ma rehearses Brahms Trio and jokes around with violinist Lynn Chang and pianist Richard Kogan. Ma talks about his technique. Ma, Chang and Kogan play at a benefit for Cambodian refugees at Sanders Theater. Christopher Lydon introduces and ends report. He notes that Yo-Yo Ma is having surgery on his spine.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 03/21/1980

Zwelakhe Sisulu

Description: Christopher Lydon reports that the Nieman Foundation has awarded Zwelakhe Sisulu (South African journalist) the Louis Lyons Award. Sisulu has been jailed by the South African government and has not been charged with a crime. Michael Pride (Concord Monitor of Concord, NH) and Al Max (Chairman, Lyons Committee) at a press conference. Pride talks about Sisulu's courage. Max says that Sisulu is the third South African journalist to win the award. Lydon notes that Zwelakhe Sisulu is the son of Walter Sisulu (founder of the African National Congress), who has been jailed since 1964 and is featured prominently in a new documentary film about the life of Nelson Mandela. Lydon's report includes photos of Zwelakhe Sisulu and footage from the HBO film Mandela. Fernando Lima (Mozambique News Agency) speaks about Zwelakhe Sisulu.
1:00:03: Visual: Footage of Mike Pride (Concord Monitor of Concord, NH) at a press conference. Pride talks about Zwelakhe Sisulu's great courage in the face of adversity. Shots of photos of Sisulu. Christopher Lydon reports that Sisulu's father was the founder of the African National Congress (ANC); that Walter Sisulu and Zwelakhe Sisulu are both in jail in South Africa. V: Footage from the Home Box Office (HBO) film Mandela. Lydon reports that Walter Sisulu is a major figure in the HBO film about the life of Nelson Mandela (ANC leader). Lydon notes that Mandela has been jailed since 1962; that Walter Sisulu has been jailed since 1964; that Oliver Tambo (ANC leader) has been exiled from South Africa. Shot of a black and white photo of Zwelakhe Sisulu. Lydon reports that Zwelakhe Sisulu has been jailed; that Zwelakhe Sisulu has not been charged with any crime. Lydon notes that Zwelakhe Sisulu will be honored by the Neiman Foundation. V: Footage of Al Max (Chairman, Lyons Committee) at a press conference. Max says that Sisulu is the third South African to have won the award. Max says that he hopes that Sisulu will be the last South African to win the award while in in prison. Footage of Fernando Lima (Mozambique News Agency). Lima speaks for Zwelakhe Sisulu, saying that apartheid is the cause of the trouble and disturbances in South Africa.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/18/1987