Playlist: Ben Weisz's Portfolio
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Don't Say Gay
From Ben Weisz | 29:58
Original documentary about teaching young children about homosexuality.
*WINNER New York Festivals Radio Awards 2013 - Best Documentary (Bronze)*
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- Don't Say Gay
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It's been ten years since the repeal of Section 28 of the UK's Local Government, which banned discussion of homosexuality in schools. Yet the issue seems as controversial as ever. In the last year, laws have been tabled or passed in Russia and the US banning discussion of homosexuality in schools, France has seen widespread protests against January's legalisation of gay adoption, and in the UK, gay marriage has just been legalised.
Where does this leave schools? Is it important to teach the 5-11s about non-traditional families and the meaning of the word 'gay'? Or does this corrupt their innocence?
This touching and incisive documentary speaks to a wide range of people to try to get to grips with the 'new big question' of LGBT politics. Guests include:
- Dr Fred Kaeser, child psychologist at NYU and formerly in charge of sex education for New York
- Dr Lucy Blake, psychologist at the University of Cambridge
- Simon Darby, National Media Spokesman for the BNP
- St Matthew's Primary School, Cambridge (a Stonewall flagship school)
- Chris Dye, of the LGB rights charity Stonewall
- LGBT students at the University of Cambridge
- Iona, aged 5, who will be reading 'And Tango Makes Three', one of the most banned children's books ever
Caesarian Sunday - a storm in a Pimms cup?
From Ben Weisz | 14:56
Every year, in a decades-old tradition, student drinking societies descend on Jesus Green in the heart of the English University city of Cambridge for a huge booze-up, attracting scandalised tabloids. Ben Weisz, Adam Clark and Viv Jones went along this year to investigate drinking society culture and whether the tabloids were creating unwarranted controversy.
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- Caesarian Sunday - a storm in a Pimms cup?
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- Ben Weisz
Every year, in a decades-old tradition, student drinking societies descend on Jesus Green in the heart of the English University city of Cambridge for a huge booze-up, attracting scandalised tabloids. Ben Weisz, Adam Clark and Viv Jones went along this year to investigate drinking society culture and whether the tabloids were creating unwarranted controversy.
They spoke to drinkers, the police, local residents and members of the press to piece together a picture of what was going on, and give an insight into one of Cambridge's most anarchic student traditions. While hardly squeaky clean, nobody, not even the Daily Mail columnist, was willing to call the event anything other than peaceful and harmless. So why did the newspaper article he went on to write paint such an apocalyptic picture of the event?
Uruguay votes on legalizing marijuana
From Ben Weisz | 06:51
On the eve of a vote in Uruguay's House of Representatives on the legalisation of Marijuana, Ben Weisz reports from Montevideo on a country yet to be convinced by the government's gamble.
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- Uruguay votes on legalizing marijuana
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On the eve of a vote in Uruguay's House of Representatives on the legalisation of Marijuana, Ben Weisz reports from Montevideo on a country yet to be convinced by the government's gamble.
He speaks to campaigner Martin Collazo of the ProDerechos movement on why he favours legalization, and visits the SerLibre rehab clinic to hear its psychiatrists' concerns over the move to legalization.
Clasificadores and Child Labour - Uruguay
From Ben Weisz | 09:27
Ben Weisz investigates how child labour is rife among Montevideo's rubbish-cart drivers, and what is being done to help.
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- Clasificadores and Child Labour - Uruguay
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Ben Weisz investigates how child labour is rife among Montevideo's rubbish-cart drivers, and what is being done to help.
According to a report published in 2009 by CETI – the National Committee for the Eradication of Child Labour – there are around 2000 children in Uruguay who undertake work as clasificadores. This work involves rifling through rubbish bins to look for saleable items ('recoleccion'), bringing it home and sorting it ('clasificacion'). There are numerous health risks to children who undertake this work, and their education is damaged.
In this short report, Ben Weisz speaks to representatives of charities who work with young clasificadores, and interviews children helped by these projects, about what their work consists of, and how the charities' involvement has raised their aspirations.
Candombe
From Ben Weisz | 08:28
Ben Weisz discovers the vibrant street tradition of Candombe drumming, and explores its origins among Montevideo's Afro-Uruguayan community.
Ben Weisz discovers the vibrant street tradition of Candombe drumming, and explores its origins among Montevideo's Afro-Uruguayan community.
Every Sunday night, the trendy Palermo district in Montevideo sees scores of drummers take to the streets, flanked with dancers, spectators and street-side barbecues. They play Candombe, an African style which originated in Uruguay in the early 19th Century among communities of African slaves. Nowadays, the tradition is very much alive, and forms a central part of Montevideo's Carnival, the country's biggest party.
Ben Weisz takes listeners on an audio-rich journey through the history of candombe, and offers a step by step guide to each of the drums which compose its structure. We then hear from 'Chino', a lovably eccentric drummer, who tells us why Candombe inspires such passion in its followers.
Defensor FC - vanguards of Uruguayan youth soccer
From Ben Weisz | 05:37
For its 3 million inhabitants, Uruguay really punches above its weight in footballing terms. How does it achieve such success in international soccer? Ben Weisz investigates the youth development programme at Montevideo-based Defensor Sporting FC to see how it galvanises an entire community to provide a training ground for some of the best players in Uruguay.
For its 3 million inhabitants, Uruguay really punches above its weight in footballing terms. How does it achieve such success in international soccer? Ben Weisz investigates the youth development programme at Montevideo-based Defensor Sporting FC to see how it galvanises an entire community to provide a training ground for some of the best players in Uruguay.
Starting at the Estadio Franzini, we meet Tabare Silva, the first-team coach who himself played for Defensor, before an illustrious career for the national team and clubs in Europe. He tells us that the coaching philosophy is what makes Defensor so special.
Next, we visit the Dia de Nino - or Children's Day - where 5000 free football shirts are given out to throngs of families, turning the neighbourhood into a sea of purple. We catch up with volunteers and parents at the event to find out how Defensor's excellent community engagement translates into success for the Academy.
What Does A Revolution Sound Like?
From Ben Weisz | 01:00:04
Ben Weisz investigates what can be learned about changes in Tunisian society since the Arab Spring, from the music which shapes its cultural landscape.
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- What Does A Revolution Sound Like?
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Ben Weisz investigates what can be learned about changes in Tunisian society since the Arab Spring, from the music which shapes its cultural landscape.
From egalitarian rappers to self-indulgent metal-heads, from get-up, stand-up reggae artists to traditional oud players, he finds a mosaic society, as diverse in sound as it is in ideas. Whether exploring a makeshift music studio or the toilet wall which sums up Tunisian society, this programme guides you through the colourful cacophony of sound in this fledgling democracy.