WHYY - Fresh Air

The new BBC documentary series 'Dynasties' follows five groups of animals for up to two years, revealing their social relationships: kinship, affection, and sometimes deadly power struggles. The show's executive producer Michael Gunton talks about filming lions, tigers, painted wolves, emperor penguins, and chimpanzees. Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews new albums by guitarists Steve Gunn and Michael Chapman. Growing up, Judith Grisel struggled with alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. Now, as a neuroscientist, she's working to understand the biological basis of addiction. Her new book is 'Never Enough.' Grisel talks about how various drugs affect the brain, and her own experience with addiction.

Filmmaker Spike Lee is nominated for best director for 'BlackKkKlansman.' He spoke with Terry Gross about growing up in Brooklyn, gentrification, and how he got started in film. TV critic David Bianculli reviews the Amazon documentary series 'Lorena,' about Lorena Bobbitt, who made headlines in 1993 when she cut off her husband's penis. 'First Reformed,' which Paul Schrader wrote and directed, is up for an Oscar for best screenplay. Ethan Hawke stars as a divorced minister experiencing a crisis of faith. Schrader also wrote the screenplay for the 1976 film 'Taxi Driver.' Film critic Justin Chang reviews 'Birds of Passage,' about the origins of the Colombian drug trade, from the point of view of an indigenous family.

'Dynasties,' a new BBC documentary series narrated by David Attenborough, is about the complex social structures of five different groups of animals. The show's executive producer Michael Gunton talks about the power struggles among animals that played out over years of filming. "One of the essential elements of the series is that you feel close to the animals," Gunton says.

'Atlantic' journalist Franklin Foer says American real estate (including Trump Organization properties) has become a "giant magnet" for Russia's kleptocratic fortunes. Foer also talks about the Mueller investigation and Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign manager, who will be sentenced next month on charges of witness tampering and conspiracy relating to money laundering scheme. His article about Manafort, 'American Hustler,' is nominated for a National Magazine Award.

Growing up, Judith Grisel struggled with alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. Now, as a neuroscientist, she's working to understand the biological basis of addiction. Her new book is 'Never Enough.' Grisel talks about how various drugs affect the brain, and her own experience with addiction. Grisel has been clean and sober for 30 years. Also, rock critic Ken Tucker reviews two new albums by guitarists Steve Gunn and Michael Chapman.