Susan Wokoma explores The Home Front
Conflict of Interest
How did British society react to the sudden increase of women in the workforce during the First World War? Or the thousands of colonial volunteers brought over to fight Nazism? Susan Wokoma (Chewing Gum, Cheaters) is given a personal guided tour by IWM curator Geoff Spender, as the actor discovers the artists and photographers behind those stories - encountering censored images of wartime Britain in the process. They are joined by Dr Diya Gupta, lecturer in public history at City University of London, as our tour takes us via India and the West Indies, in search of the...
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Helen Lewis on Destruction and Reconstruction
Conflict of Interest
How have artists, filmmakers and photographers shaped our understanding of wars and conflict? Journalist and writer Helen Lewis explores the recently-opened Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries at Imperial War Museum, London. From No Man's Land to mushroom clouds, Helen discovers the people that have interpreted over a hundred years of conflict, in this specially-curated tour by James Bulgin, Head of Public History at IWM. They are joined by Suzanne Plunkett, Reuters' Chief Photographer for the UK and Ireland, and a photojournalist for almost 30 years - and someone who can give us a...
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Conflict Of Interest is back
Conflict of Interest
More conflicts explained in a brand new series focusing on the role of art, film and photography in depicting warfare across the Twentieth Century. This time featuring: Broadcaster Helen Lewis Actor Sanjeev Bhaskar Comedian Rachel Parris Writer Carl Miller (‘The Kill List’) Actor Susan Wokoma Comedian Geoff Norcott New episodes from 3rd January - if you know someone who would love our show, please share the news with this link: https://podfollow.com/conflict-of-interest Narrator: James Taylor. Producer: Matt Hill at , with support from Eleanor Head, Daniel BenChorin, and...
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Ukraine, with Sophie Duker
Conflict of Interest
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shocked the world. But what is the history behind this devastating war, and where did it all begin? In this special episode of Conflict of Interest, we explored Ukraine’s recent past, from the collapse of the Soviet Union to Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Guests in this episode were comedian Sophie Duker, Ukrainian journalist, expert and activist Olga Tokariuk, academic and historian Samir Puri and senior IWM curator Carl Warner. ——— CLIPS: Bird's-Eye View Of 'Euromaidan' Protests In Kyiv - ...
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The Falklands Conflict, with Katherine Parkinson
Conflict of Interest
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict. But why did the United Kingdom, steered by Margaret Thatcher, send its Navy to defend the Falklands, a tiny group of islands over 8,000 miles from Britain? Why were the islands so important to Argentina and its government? And what are the prospects for reconciliation forty years later? In this episode we were joined by actor and comedian Katherine Parkinson.
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The Vietnam War, with Cerys Matthews
Conflict of Interest
The Vietnam War is one of the twentieth century’s most well-known conflicts. It has become a buzzword for military failure, synonymous with the most horrific aspects of irregular warfare between states and guerilla forces, and has had a profound impact on politics and popular culture in the United States and around the world. But why did America get involved in the first place? Who were the Viet Cong and the Viet Minh? Why were there mass peace protests back in the US? And what lessons, if any, can be learned from the conflict? In this episode we were joined by Cerys...
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The Korean War, with Eddie Izzard
Conflict of Interest
Why is Korea divided between North and South? Who was Kim Jong Un’s grandfather Kim Il Sun, and what did he want? Why did the United Nations intervene in Korea? And did the Korean War really almost go nuclear? In this episode we were joined by celebrated stand up comedian, writer, actor and activist Eddie Izzard, in a special recording that took place on the ship HMS Belfast. ---- Excerpt from Combat footage, Korean war - newsreel (1950): Excerpt from Korean War: President Truman Reports - June 1950: Excerpt from Inchon Landings - First...
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The Mau Mau Uprising, with Nikita Gill
Conflict of Interest
The Mau Mau Uprising was another lesser-known conflict that took place during the end of the British Empire between Kenyan insurgents and British forces. We ask questions like, What does Mau Mau actually mean? What happened in Britain’s detention camps? What was decolonisation? And what is the legacy of the conflict today? In this episode we were joined by renowned poet and writer Nikita Gill. This episode contains references to racism and sexual violence in conflict. Some listeners may find descriptions distressing. ----- CLIPS: Excerpts from CNN ‘UK settles with Mau Mau victims in...
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The Malayan Emergency, with Phil Wang
Conflict of Interest
Few are aware of the secretive conflict that took place in the jungles of Malaysia in the 1940s and 1950s between British colonial forces and communist guerillas. So what tactics were used by both sides? Why was it called an Emergency and not a War? What happened to ordinary civilians caught in the crossfire? And why did this conflict become so important for future counterinsurgency campaigns? In this episode we were joined by stand up comedian Phil Wang. -------------- CREDITS: Excerpt from "Malayan Jungle Patrol Aka Malaya Report (1953)" Excerpt from "Malayan jungle fighting in...
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The Berlin Wall, with Russell Tovey
Conflict of Interest
The Berlin Wall was one of the most important symbols of the Cold War, signifying the division of Europe into communist East and capitalist West. But why was the Wall built? How did it affect the lives of ordinary Berliners? And how did it come crashing down in 1989? In this episode we were joined by Russell Tovey, renowned actor who has starred in Being Human, The History Boys and Him & Her. --------- CREDITS: Excerpt from Ronald Reagan: "Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall!" Excerpt from John F. Kennedy's Speech at the Berlin Wall: Excerpt...
info_outlineWhy is Korea divided between North and South? Who was Kim Jong Un’s grandfather Kim Il Sun, and what did he want? Why did the United Nations intervene in Korea? And did the Korean War really almost go nuclear?
In this episode we were joined by celebrated stand up comedian, writer, actor and activist Eddie Izzard, in a special recording that took place on the ship HMS Belfast.
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