The Culture Show - 2008/2009 - Episode 18

Lauren Laverne, Mark Kermode and Andrew Graham-Dixon look at back at the highlights of the Culture Show in 2008. It is another chance to see the touching and powerful interview with Anthony Minghella, who died in March. The Culture Show had accompanied the Oscar-winning director to Botswana and been on set with him during the filming of The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Verity Sharp meets with the inspirational Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, product of El Sistema - free musical education for some of the poorest young people in Venezuela. Simon Rattle has called Dudamel and El Sistema, 'the most important thing happening in classical music today'. We show again Mark Kermode's one-man campaign to give a special send-off to the tiny 24-seat cinema, La Charrette, in Gorseinon, South Wales. Faced with closure, Mark decides to stage the world premiere of Danny Boyle's film Alien Love Triangle. Star of the film Kenneth Branagh joins the Gorseinon villagers for a red carpet night in the converted rail carriage cinema. In an unusual encounter, Andrew Graham-Dixon 'interviews' French artist Marcel Duchamp. Famed for his influence on modern art and works such as the men's urinal re-named 'Fountain', Duchamp died in 1968. Sir Tom Jones takes on the Culture Show's busking challenge. With a combination of classics and material from his brand new album, 24 hours, can Tom oust the Fron Male Voice Choir, from the current top spot in the busking league table? Music comes from the band of the year, Mercury Prize winners Elbow, accompanied by Richard Hawley.