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Actor Sir Ben Kingsley

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From Gandhi to Sexy Beast, to filmmaker Georges Méliès in Hugo, acting great Sir Ben Kingsley is with us.

In this image released by Paramount Pictures, Asa Butterfield portrays Hugo Cabret, left, and Ben Kingsley plays Georges Méliès in a scene from "Hugo." (AP)
In this image released by Paramount Pictures, Asa Butterfield portrays Hugo Cabret, left, and Ben Kingsley plays Georges Méliès in a scene from "Hugo." (AP)

The great British actor Ben Kingsley – Sir Ben Kingsley – was born Krishna Bhanji in North Yorkshire, son of an Indian-descended doctor father and an actress and model English mother.  In an astonishing career on stage and screen, he has drawn on all that and much more.

To play Gandhi in his very first big screen role.  It won him an Oscar.  To play a hard-bitten Cockney criminal in Sexy Beast.  A haunted Iranian colonel in House of Sand and Fog.  A French film pioneer in Martin Scorcese’s Hugo.

This hour, On Point:  a conversation with stage and film great Ben Kingsley.
-Tom Ashbrook

Guests

Ben Kingsley, Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning actor, his latest film is "Hugo."

From Tom's Reading List

Huffington Post "It's an apt time for Kingsley to launch his effort to return the movie industry to its storytelling roots, given that he stars in Martin Scorsese's new 3D film "Hugo" as one of film's original pioneers, Georges Méliès."

Reuters "When he sits down, though, there's nothing terribly stuffy or regal about the Oscar-winning actor who plays silent film pioneer Georges Melies in Martin Scorsese's "Hugo." Rather, Kingsley is affable, articulate and eager to talk about acting, storytelling and the director who, he says, sees everything on a movie set."

The Daily Mail "The shaven head and goatee are instantly familiar when Kingsley walks into the room, but despite his great fame nobody seems to know much about this intensely private 66-year-old. Not even his mother, as I am about to find out. For years he has deflected all personal enquiries, hiding behind his art, and that's how he starts today."

Video: Gandhi Trailer

Here's the trailer from Kingsley's 1982 film, Gandhi, an epic biography of the Indian lawyer who led a non-violent revolt against British rule. The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Kingsley won Best Actor for his portrayal of Gandhi.

Video: Hugo Trailer

Here is a short video trailer of Ben Kingsley's latest movie, Hugo.

More

Playlist

The Thief” (from Hugo) Howard Shore
“Discovery Of India” (from Gandhi) Ravi Shankar
“Coeur Volant” (from Hugo) Howard Shore

This program aired on January 13, 2012.

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