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Hitler's secretary recalls the dictator's final days in Blind Spot, a minimalist documentary from Germany. After wide acclaim at Berlin Film Festival attendees a year ago, it's finally opening in U.S. theaters. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

Deanna Witkowski draws on a variety of influences — from Chopin to Cole Porter to a relatively unknown Brazilian rhythm called baião. It's no wonder the pianist finds her music going in different directions — sometimes within the same song — as in her "Wide Open Window." Hear Liane Hansen's performance chat with Witkowski in NPR's Studio 4A.

This year's Oscar nominations offer evidence that independent films are helping change the mainstream in Hollywood. One example is Chris Cooper, nominated for his supporting role in Adaptation. Hear NPR's Scott Simon and Weekend Edition entertainment commentator Elvis Mitchell.

A dispute between Broadway's musicians and the League of American Theatres and Producers ends in compromise. With New York City's economy losing an estimated $7 million a day since musicians struck on Friday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg calls representatives together to settle differences. Jeff Lunden reports.

The Chicago quartet The Sea and Cake uses rock band elements to evoke open spaces in much the same way Aaron Copland did with orchestras. Tom Moon of the Philadelphia Inquirer reviews the group's latest release, One Bedroom.

Avant-garde filmmaker Stan Brakhage's death at age 70 ends a career that made a lasting impact on fellow directors. Brakhage made nearly 400 films, most silent, many quite short. He sought to reflect "every kind of seeing" on film. NPR's Pat Dowell reports.

Director Antoine Fuqua's new film, Tears of the Sun, focuses on atrocities in Africa. It's not a typical neighborhood for Hollywood to visit. But Fuqua peers into the shadows and emerges with a plea: "Try to help." He discusses the film with NPR's Liane Hansen.

Every Saturday night, BBC radio host Charlie Gillett brings the music of the world into his London studio. It's not unusual for him to play songs from Mexico, Ethiopia, Colombia, Madagascar or Tuva, a region of Siberia. Gillett has compiled a CD collection, World 2002, of artists from 24 countries. NPR's Scott Simon and Gillett listen together.

A new play by John O'Keefe highlights a true story of two stage actors in pre-WWII Germany. Times Like These is about the gradual loss of personal freedoms, and draws striking parallels to today's post-Sept. 11 America. Iris Mann reports.

When Luciano Pavarotti calls in sick for what was to be his final performance, tenor Salvatore Licitra steps in and wows the audience at the Met in New York. He has since released a CD called The Debut, which has been winning critical acclaim. And he's in New York again tonight for a performance at Carnegie Hall. Salvatore Licitra talks with NPR's Robert Siegel.