Jane Campion on “The Power of the Dog,” and Putin’s Descent into Despotism

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Some have argued that NATO expansion in the post-Soviet era is to blame for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying that it has provoked Vladimir Putin to defend his sphere of influence. Stephen Kotkin, a leading historian of the Soviet period, disagrees: Putin’s actions, he says, fit into a long pattern of Russian history, and are not a recent aberration. Jane Campion, one of cinema’s true auteurs, talks with David Remnick about her new film, “The Power of the Dog”—which is set in the West but is not exactly a Western. And a staff writer who recently profiled the Brazilian musical giant Caetano Veloso picks some key tracks that illuminate Veloso’s extraordinary career.

Stephen Kotkin: Don’t Blame the West for Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Some have argued that NATO expansion in the post-Soviet era has forced Putin’s hand. Kotkin, a historian of the U.S.S.R., disagrees. Russia, he says, is just being Russia. Watch Kotkin’s interview, and read a transcript, here.

Jane Campion on “The Power of the Dog”

One of cinema’s true auteurs, the director discusses her new film, which is set in the West but is not quite a Western.

Jonathan Blitzer on Caetano Veloso

Blitzer recently profiled the living giant of Brazilian music for The New Yorker. Now he picks some key tracks from Veloso’s vast catalogue that illuminate his long career.

The New Yorker Radio Hour is a co-production of WNYC Studios and The New Yorker.