Programme Details

The artist Tracey Emin needs no introduction. Her life is her art - from her embroidered tent, All The Men I Have Ever Slept With, to her latest filmTop Spot, inspired by her upbringing in Margate. Everyone has an opinion on her life and as well as her art. The two seem indivisible. But are they? And does she live up to her reputation? China Mieville lets you make up your own mind as he talks to Tracey Emin in her studio.

Andre Breton declared that Alice in Wonderland's Lewis Carroll was a true British surrealist writer. Yet, despite being inspired by British Romantic poetry of the 18th century, surrealism in Britain was never as radical or as gripping as it was in France or on the continent. Why was this? Mary Ann Caws and Professor Steve Connor, discuss Britain's complex relationship with Andre Breton and with surrealism.

In the 1970s, the Italian film maker Mario Bellochio was compared to Bernando Bertolucci as one of the forthcoming greats of Italian film, yet these expectations were never fulfilled. But now, as his new film Good Morning Night reaps prizes from leading film festivals, has he finally achieved the form his early career promised? And does his film dignify the terrorism of Italy's Red Brigade? The Italian cultural critic Guido Bonsaver delivers his verdict.

And poet David Constantine muses with China Mieville on politics and poetry, and the power of translation.

Night Waves, live at 9.30pm on BBC Radio 3

Presenter: China Mieville
Producer: ArianeKoek



Additional information:
1) Top Spot by Tracey Emin will be shown on BBC3 later this year.
2) Collected Poems, and A Living Language: Newcastle/Bloodaxe Poetry Lecture by David Constantine are published by Bloodaxe
3) Good Morning Night by Mario Bellochio opens at selected cinemas on Friday 19 November
4) Surrealist Writings by Mary Ann Caws is published by Phaidon.