© 2026 WRVO Public Media
NPR News for Central New York
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Fresh Air Weekend: Child Soldiers; 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'; '45 Years'

Fresh Air Weekend highlights some of the best interviews and reviews from past weeks, and new program elements specially paced for weekends. Our weekend show emphasizes interviews with writers, filmmakers, actors and musicians, and often includes excerpts from live in-studio concerts. This week:

When Children Go To War: A Heartbreaking Portrait In 'Beasts Of No Nation': The film tells the story of a child soldier in an unnamed West African country. Director Cary Fukunaga says that he tried to protect the young actors from some of the movie's most violent scenes.

Rekindling The Spirit Of A Galaxy Far, Far Away In 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens':

The newest installment of the Star Wars franchise features many of cast members from George Lucas' '77 classic. Reviewer David Edelstein calls the J.J. Adams' film fun — if not particularly original.

A Long-Buried Secret, Once Revealed, Rattles '45 Years' Of Marriage: Director Andrew Haigh's new film profiles a couple suddenly forced to reassess their decades-long union. "It's always interesting to me how we keep secrets from the ones we love the most," he says.

You can listen to the original interviews here:

When Children Go To War: A Heartbreaking Portrait In 'Beasts Of No Nation'

Rekindling The Spirit Of A Galaxy Far, Far Away In 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'

A Long-Buried Secret, Once Revealed, Rattles '45 Years' Of Marriage

Copyright 2021 Fresh Air. To see more, visit Fresh Air.

Recent cuts to federal funding are challenging our mission to serve central and upstate New York with trusted journalism, vital local coverage, and the diverse programming that informs and connects our communities. This is the moment to join our community of supporters and help keep journalists on the ground, asking hard questions that matter to our region.

Stand with public media and make your gift today—not just for yourself, but for all who depend on WRVO as a trusted resource and civic cornerstone in central and upstate New York.