The Film Programme

Francine Stock talks to the Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn about British prison drama Starred Up which co-stars Jack O'Connell. The musician and composer Mica Levi on her first film soundtrack working with Jonathan Glazer on Under the Skin. Producer Jeremy Thomas looks back on his career, the subject of a season at the BFI in London, Made In Britain. As the conflict in Syria continues, two film makers reflect on their contrasting responses to the situation - Charif Kiwan of the Abounaddara collective which makes films of a few minutes duration focussing on real lives and Orwa Nyrabia, producer of The Return to Homs, a documentary following young men who become radicalised by the destruction of their neighbourhood.

Francine Stock talks to writer and director Jonathan Glazer about Under the Skin, an unsettling sci fi film starring Scarlett Johansson. Spinal Tap, the rock mock doc, is 30 years old and Scott Jordan Harris and Sophie Monks Kaufman debate whether it still works for a new generation. The South By South West Festival, is underway in Austin Texas, covering film, music and interactive. Henry Barnes from The Guardian brings us his highlights from the festival. And Pasquale Iannone of Edinburgh University takes us on a tour of Rome on film from Fellini to Sorrentino.

Francine Stock talks to Tilda Swinton about The Grand Budapest Hotel. And inspired by Wes Anderson's take on hotel life, film historian Ian Christie and critic Kate Muir look at these citadels of glamour, alienation, opportunity and even horror. Director Ted Kotcheff on lost Oz thriller Wake In Fright. Critic Alice Tynan discusses why Australian cinema-goers at the time found its uncompromising portrayal of life in the outback hard to stomach. And why no awards for stunt artists?

Francine Stock talks to actor Stellan Skarsgard about his role in the latest film by Lars von Trier - Nymphomaniac. Composer Alexandre Desplat discusses his score for Philomena which has been nominated for an Oscar. The Unforgiven has been remade by director Sang-il Lee with Ken Watanabe in the lead role. Sir Christopher Frayling and Alexander Jacoby discuss the cross fertilisation of the Western and Japanese Samurai film across the decades. Plus James W. Griffiths on his BAFTA-winning short Room 8.

Francine Stock talks to John Ridley, the Oscar nominated screenwriter of 12 Years a Slave about the journey from first historic hand account to the big screen also and the portrayal of race in mainstream cinema today. Critic Jonathan Romney critiques the work of director Jim Jarmusch whose latest movie 'Only Lovers Left Alive' hits theatres this week. BAFTA winning production designer Maria Djurkovic and film historian Kim Newman discuss the enduring appeal of the French musical The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Dialect coaches Andrew Jack and Julia Wilson-Dickson let the Film Programme in on the tricks of their trade.

Francine Stock brings a round up of the winners of this year's EE British Academy Film Awards with analysis from critics Robbie Collin and Catherine Bray. Plus the director Spike Jonze on his new sci fi romance, Her, starring Joaquin Phoenix and the voice of Scarlett Johansson. And the producer, writer and long-term collaborator with George Clooney, Grant Heslov on their latest project The Monuments Men.

Francine Stock talks to writer and director Spike Jonze, about his new film Her, a futuristic love story. Plus Grant Heslov a producer and long-time collaborator with George Clooney on the WW2 epic, The Monuments Men. Industry analyst Charles Gant unpicks the surprise hits and misses of films in international markets. And British rising star and BAFTA nominee George MacKay on his career so far - from child actor in Peter Pan to How I Live Now, Sunshine on Leith and For Those In Peril.

Matthew Sweet talks to screenwriter Abi Morgan about The Invisible Woman, the tale of Charles Dickens' love affair with Nelly Ternan. Jared Leto returns to cinema screens for the first time in six years with Dallas Buyers Club. Leto plays a trans gender woman and he explains what attracted him to the part and how he prepared for the transformation. Gary Oldman discusses the remake of the 1987 part-man part-machine thriller RoboCop. And critic David Thomson remembers actor Philip Seymour Hoffman who has died aged 46.

Francine Stock talks to the director Scott Cooper about his film Out of the Furnace. Plus Alex Gibney on his Lance Armstrong documentary, The Armstrong Lie. Charlie Bloye, Chief Executive of Film Export UK, makes a case for more support for getting British indie films seen abroad. And Ginette Vincendeau explores the magic of Jeanne Moreau in the 1958 film Lift to the Scaffold, by Louis Malle.

Francine Stock talks to Meryl Streep about her Oscar-nominated role in August: Osage County. Plus Oscar Isaac on working with the Coen Brothers in Inside Llewyn Davis.

Francine Stock talks to the actor Jonah Hill about The Wolf of Wall Street, plus the film's editor Thelma Schoonmaker. Also The Night of the Hunter and found music with Neil Brand.

British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor talks to Francine Stock about his role in 12 Years A Slave directed by Steve McQueen. We explore the controversy surrounding what makes a film British, as the BAFTA nominations are announced; Ben Roberts head of the BFI Film Fund explains the criteria that makes a film British. We join the director Ken Loach in the cutting room as he puts together his latest film Jimmy's Hall; Ken outlines why he feels there's a certain rhythm and camaraderie to this traditional way of editing. Screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce discusses The Railway Man, starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth.

Francine Stock talks to Idris Elba about playing Mandela. Plus films to watch out for in 2014 with Charles Gant and Kevin Markwick. Daniel Bruhl tells all about his big filmic break. And the award-winning Newcastle Film Club.

Francine Stock explores the spirit of the teenager on film through the decades with Kim Newman, Hadley Freeman and Charlie Lyne.

Francine Stock talks to Ben Stiller about The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Plus director JC Chandor on one man epic All Is Lost. And Anchorman is back.. post cable TV.