American Cinema Special

To mark America's 250th anniversary, Talking Movies hears from leading figures in US media, film and culture who tell the BBC about some iconic American movies and what these films reveal about the country and the psyche of her people.

American Psycho director Mary Harron talks about Martin Scorsese's The King of Comedy, while critic and film-maker Bilge Ebiri looks at Hitchcock's classic thriller North by Northwest. BBC News presenter Sumi Somaskanda reveals her passion for the prison drama The Shawshank Redemption and award-winning journalist Tim Teeman selects Steven Spielberg's Jaws. Talking Movies' host Tom Brook chooses the Robert Altman ensemble satire Nashville.

Each contributor speaks about what their film choice means to them and how and why they feel it has become an American cinema classic. This special illustrates the American nation on the big screen and the influence it's had in bringing its movies to the world.