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In today's episode, I interview Christine La Monte, producer of two recent documentaries, Ai Weiwei's Turandot and the Oscar shortlisted Viva Verdi!.

Listen to hear about Christine's experience growing up listening to opera, what it was like working with a world renowned artist like Ai Weiwei, and the joy of finding new young filmmakers and helping them express their voice through film.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
• Cry to Heaven by Anne Rice
• Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
• The Crying Heart Tattoo by David Lozell Martin
• The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama
• The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
• Let's Call the Whole Thing Off directed by Elizabeth Guest

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• Ai Weiwei's Turandot directed by Maxim Derevianko
• Viva Verdi! directed by Yvo nne Russo
• La Traviata directed by Franco Zeffirelli
• Children of the River directed by Federico Rodelli (forthcoming)
• The Godfather directed by Francis Ford Coppola
• Black Orpheus directed by Marcel Camus
• Once Upon a Time in America directed by Sergio Leone
• Dances With Wolves directed by Kevin Costner
• Holiday directed by George Cukor
• The Night Manager (series)
• Something's Gotta Give directed by Nancy Meyers
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (series)

Other things mentioned in this episode:

• "Sweet Dreams of Joy" by Nicholas Pike

Follow Viva Verdi! on Instagram @vivaverdithefilm and check out the websites for both films at aiweiweisturandotfilm.com and vivaverdithefilm.com.

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