Cultural Life: Paul Schrader, screenwriter

Interview by Charlotte Cripps

(Reuters)

Television

I've seen every episode of "Mad Men" on my iPod Touch while commuting into the city, the first time I've seen every episode of a series since I was in high school.

Theatre

"Next to Normal", a Broadway musical about a bipolar housewife, is extraordinary entertainment, both unique and intelligent.

Books

At the moment the highbrow book is Mikhail Bulgakov's "Master and the Margarita" and the pop book is Elmore Leonard's "Road Dogs".

Music

This month, Bohren & Der Klub Of Gore. This week, Teddy Thompson. Today, The Low Anthem. Oh yeah, and the new Dylan.

Film

I've been conducting a personal exploration through the history of Bollywood courtesy of Netflix. Indian cinema lacks the towering masterpieces of Japanese film, but there are a number of important films and many pleasures. Good starting points are Guru Dutt's "Pyaasa" in the Golden Era and, among contemporary films, "Jodhaa Akbar" by Ashutosh Gowariker.

Paul Schrader will present his Screenwriting Masterclass on Friday 3 July at ScreenLit: Festival of Film, TV & Writing at Broadway Cinema Nottingham. www.broadway.org.uk/festival