Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Rain, Race, Oscars and Bieber
How can Southern California take advantage of its rare rainfall? What does Justin Bieber's meltdown say about our culture? Which film will top the Oscars?
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenA dry, thirsty Southern California is drinking up today’s rare rainfall. But are we doing enough to take advantage of it? We find out how we can do more. Plus, President Obama unveiled a new initiative this week to help young men of color succeed in America. But does it go far enough? We also discuss what Justin Bieber’s public meltdown indicates about our culture as a whole. We preview this Sunday’s big Oscars show. And we look at two films that tackle the same issue: One was made by a Palestinian filmmaker, the other by an Israeli.
Banner image: Rain over Los Angeles; credit: Nathan Gibbs
In this episode
5 storiesCapturing the Rain
A dry, thirsty Southern California is drinking up today’s rare rainfall. But are we doing enough to take advantage of it?
Read the story9 minMy Brother's Keeper
President Obama unveiled a new initiative this week to help young men of color succeed in America. But does it go far enough? Critics say it took the president far too long to work on this issue.
Read the story7 minBigger Than Bieber
It only took four short years for a young, innocent Justin Bieber to transform into the chaotic, troubled teen star we see in news reports today. What happened in those years, and what does it say about our culture as a whole? Our guest points out that Bieber is the first pop star to spend his entire career in the social media spotlight.
Read the story9 minAnd the Oscar Goes to...
Sunday is the day Hollywood has been waiting for all year. We look ahead to the 86th annual Academy Awards in a special edition of our weekly film roundup.
Read the story13 minFilming Across the Divide
The Israeli movie Bethlehem is in theaters now. And the Palestinian film Omar will be out next week. And they have more in common than the fact that both were considered for Oscar nominations. Both stories center around an Israeli intelligence officer and his relationship with a Palestinian informant.
Read the story10 min
