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Truth and Taboo from Malaysia to the Middle East

Writer Bernice Chauly, comedian Hasan Minhaj, satirists Sodienye Kurubo and Isam Uraiqat, plus actor and activist Sir Ian McKellen.

On this week’s Cultural Frontline: censorship and the artists and satirists who use their creativity to evade it.

Malaysian writer Bernice Chauly discusses her taboo-breaking political protest novel, Once We Were There, after Malaysia's historic election result this week.

Reporter Milly Chowles meets comedian Hasan Minhaj of US TV’s The Daily Show, to find out what it's like to perform at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and to ask whether jokes can change the world.

Sodienye Kurubo, head writer at Nigeria’s only satirical TV show, The Other News, and Isam Uraiqat, Jordanian founder of Middle East satirical website, Al-Hudood, compare the red lines of ridicule that exist in their parts of the world.

Plus, award-winning actor and activist Sir Ian McKellen reveals the comic film that transformed his acting technique.

Presenter: Tina Daheley
Producer: Kirsty McQuire

(Photo: A supporter wearing a T-shirt showing Mahathir Mohamad, the former Malaysian prime minister who was newly elected in May 2018.
Credit: Manan Vatsyayana/ AFP/ Getty Images)

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Mon 14 May 2018 06:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 12 May 2018 02:32GMT
  • Sat 12 May 2018 08:32GMT
  • Sat 12 May 2018 17:32GMT
  • Sun 13 May 2018 19:32GMT
  • Sun 13 May 2018 23:06GMT
  • Mon 14 May 2018 03:32GMT
  • Mon 14 May 2018 06:32GMT

Podcast