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Seductive Dreams

Episode 3 of 4

James Fox examines how artists, film-makers and advertisers have used images to sell us fantasies of a better life.

James Fox tells the story of how, in the second half of the 20th century, artists, advertisers and film-makers used the power of images to sell us dreams. From the influence of Kodak on our family photos to psychologists persuading us what to buy, he explores how images seduced us with fantasies of a better life.

It’s a journey that takes us from the early days of the Marlboro Man to the radical feminist art of Judy Chicago and the reaction to male-dominated visual culture. Along the way, he celebrates Fellini’s mastery of cinematic fantasy, David Hockney’s subversive visions of male desire and Madonna’s groundbreaking music videos.

59 minutes

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:00

    Saint Etienne

    Like A Motorway

  • 00:03

    Ry Cooder

    She’s Leaving the Bank

  • 00:04

    Sidney Bechet and His New Orleans Feetwarmers

    Blues In Thirds (Take 2)

  • 00:06

    Mercury Rev

    Holes

  • 00:07

    Simple Minds

    Premonition

  • 00:09

    Massive Attack

    Pray For Rain

  • 00:10

    U2

    Zooropa

  • 00:12

    Bruno Bertone Sound Orchestra

    High Plains Drifter

  • 00:14

    Berstein

    The Magnificent Seven

  • 00:15

    Fripp & Eno

    Evening Star

  • 00:17

    Boards of Canada

    Constants Are Changing

  • 00:20

    Nino Rota

    La Dolce Vita: La Bella Malinconica

  • 00:24

    The Halle Orchestra: Sir John Barbirolli

    La Forza Del Destino: Overture

  • 00:29

    David Bowie

    Fame

  • 00:30

    Isaac Hayes

    Shaft

  • 00:32

    Paul Weller

    I Walk On Gilded Splinters / Porcelain Gods (Pt. 2)

  • 00:33

    Spacemen 3

    Hypnotized

  • 00:35

    Gustav Mahler

    Symphony No 5 in C sharp minor (Adagietto)

    Featured Artist: Georg Solti. Featured Artist: Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
  • 00:35

    Gustav Mahler

    Adagietto from Symphony No. 5

    Performer: Alexandre Tharaud.
  • 00:35

    Gustav Mahler

    Death In Venice (Adagietto From Symphony No.5)

  • 00:35

    Budapest Festival Orchestra: Ivan Fischer

    Gustav Mahler: Symphony No 5: Adagietto (From 'Death In Venice')

  • 00:36

    David Crosby

    Tamalpais High (at About 3)

  • 00:38

    Florence + the Machine

    Various Storms And Saints

  • 00:43

    Craig Armstrong

    Weather Storm '98

  • 00:44

    Sonic Youth

    Barracuda

  • 00:45

    Laurie Anderson

    O Superman

  • 00:39

    Grace Jones

    Private Life

  • 00:45

    Laurie Anderson

    O Superman

  • 00:48

    Four Tet

    Glue Of The World

  • 00:51

    Run‐D.M.C.

    Walk This Way

  • 00:51

    Madonna

    Everybody

  • 00:52

    Madonna

    Vogue

  • 00:54

    Caribou

    Niobe

  • 00:55

    Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels

    Devil With The Blue Dress On / Good Golly Miss Molly

  • 00:57

    Joy Division

    Atmosphere

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter James Fox
Executive Producer Richard Bright
Series Producer Alexander Leith
Director Ben Ryder

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