Best Of: Boots Riley / Will Sharpe

In this special 'Best Of' episode of Fresh Air Weekend, host Tanya Mosley interviews two acclaimed artists: filmmaker, rapper, and activist Boots Riley and actor Will Sharp. Riley discusses his latest film, I Love Boosters, a satirical, politically charged story about a crew of women shoplifters in the Bay Area who redistribute luxury goods to underserved communities. Drawing from his own experiences as a broke artist and former labor organizer, Riley frames shoplifting not as theft but as a radical act of resistance against systemic inequality. He reflects on his journey from The Coup's politically charged hip-hop to mainstream success with Sorry to Bother You, emphasizing that his art is a tool for instigating class struggle, even while operating within the capitalist system. The conversation also delves into Riley’s personal history—his father’s labor activism, his mother’s unfulfilled artistic dreams, and how those shaped his worldview. Later, Mosley speaks with Will Sharp about his role as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in a new limited series adaptation of Amadeus. Sharp discusses his immersive preparation, including learning to play Mozart’s piano works and exploring the character’s neurodivergent traits, emotional expression through music, and struggles with social connection. He also reflects on his roles in Too Much and A Real Pain, highlighting themes of identity, privilege, and emotional dissonance. The episode closes with a review of David Attenborough’s special Life on Earth, Attenborough's Greatest Adventure, celebrating his legacy in natural history filmmaking.