Russell Baillie
Arts & entertainment editor
NZ Listener Arts & Entertainment Editor Russell Baillie has worked at the Listener since 2017 and was previously the editor of the NZ Herald’s TimeOut section.
The listener.co.nz is the website of the award-winning New Zealand Listener, which has been covering the political, cultural and literary life of Aotearoa New Zealand for 80 years with features on current events, politics, social issues, health, technology, arts, food, culture and entertainment.
Check out Russell’s latest content
In the name of Bob: The 40th anniversary of Band Aid and Live Aid
Bob Geldof is bringing a one-man show to NZ, once he’s figured out what it should be.
Amusing rock flick captures the zeitgeist of Christchurch in 1979
Head South is evocative of place and time.
Memoir of a Snail: Sarah Snook voices, Nick Cave recites in filmmaker's poignant return
After a 15-year hiatus, Adam Elliot’s trademark claymation figures hit the screen again.
Sir Ian McKellen on criticism, ageing and still being Gandalf
Recovering from a recent fall, Sir Ian McKellen on why he has no plans to retire.
Brad Pitt and George Clooney double act keeps tired plot on track
This is the first time Clooney and Pitt have buddied up since the Ocean’s trilogy.
Struth! The Office - Oz style is here - and David Brent’s a sheila
Felicity Ward on being the Downunder David Brent in the Aussie version of The Office.
Game of Thrones’ Iain Glen trades frozen wastes of Westeros for a caravan in WA
The acclaimed Scottish actor on why he came aboard Last Days of the Space Age.
Crime dominates “go to” Sky channel for premium British drama
The arrival of BBC First on Sky here follows a shake-up of BBC outlets in Australia.
Gripping NZ medical drama gets film director back behind the camera
Film director Christine Jeffs on returning to the big screen after more than a decade away
NZ-born Shōgun star Anna Sawai on her historic Emmy award-winning role
Ahead of Emmy success, Russell Baillie met Anna Sawai to talk about her life-changing role
American music icon: “I’m so happy that people still play guitars and make loud music...”
Foo Fighters Dave Grohl says he wouldn't be making music without Bob Mould.
Two Aussies master the waves in two swell-powered documentaries
Sailing the circumference of Antarctica and a world champion blind surfer battling waves.
Does next generation Beetlejuice sequel live up to the hype?
Jenna Ortega joins stars Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton and Catherine O'Hara.
Love amid horror: TV version of Holocaust bestseller centres Kiwi author
NZer Heather Morris's controversial The Tattooist of Auschwitz is now a tv series.
Mirren plays Meir: An interview with acting royalty on her new role
Dame Helen talks about playing Golda Meir, Israel’s iron lady.
Mad About the Boy: A flawed but fascinating look at one of the world’s greatest showmen
Mad dash through Noël Coward life an enjoyable tribute to very English showman.
Review: Campion daughter’s debut initially promising then unravels
"You have to wonder if the apple was ripe enough to drop from the tree."
Review: Killers of the Flower Moon failing to do justice
Martin Scorsese’s 1920s true-crime race murder saga mistakes length for depth.
The Flying Scotsman looks back on his halcyon racing days
Sir Jackie Stewart talks about the learning difficulties that shaped his ambition.
Preview: Viewers can expect to hear less of Tom Webster in next season of Grand Designs
"think putting money into good architecture is something akin to the arts, isn’t it?"
Spinning Topp yarns: Jools & Lynda on their revealing memoir
The open book that has been the Topp Twins’ existence is now an actual one.
German star Sandra Hüller on being “the actress of the year”
The critics' darling on her international breakthrough.
Review: Uproar’s no solid gold hit but Julian Dennison shines
Coming-of-age film evokes the troubles of 1981.
TV preview: Frasier rebooted - but where’s Niles?
Looking at classic sitcom’s sequel and history.
The Beths win 2023 Apra Silver Scroll
It was the Auckland band's fourth nomination for the country’s top songwriting award.
Review: Sci-fi epic The Creator feels like it’s been written by AI
Sci-fi action flick feels like data-scrape of other films.
Preview: Wes Anderson’s fascination with Roald Dahl’s tales continues with four short films
Unlike Anderson's recent features, the films are driven by plots and stories.
Uproar: Behind Julian Dennison’s ‘81 Springbok tour dramedy
Dunedin, in all its unspoilt-since-’81 glory, is a star in itself in new local film.
Kristin Hersh returns with a vital new solo album as her writing career wins her new fans
US indie music veteran touring New Zealand with 25th album.
Celebrity Treasure Island’s bold new direction
Tāme Iti will face off against other celebrities in the wilds of Central Otago.
How director fused fictional blockbuster thrills with Māori history in Muru
“Muru is an opportunity to speak truth to power through cinema - the ache is still real."
Fourth Silver Scroll nod for Obama’s favourite Kiwi band The Beths
Marlon Williams, Tom Scott and Unknown Mortal Orchestra are among the finalists for award.
Russell Baillie: NZ Music Hall of Fame inductee Don McGlashan remains in his own league
Russell Baillie pays tribute to the songwriting great.
Tim Finn ponders his life in five songs ahead of his return to live stage
Tim Finn’s forthcoming tour will be a chronological wander through his career.
Review: Film a cinematic love letter with its own unique perfume
Last Film Show tells tale of a boy in India who takes his first steps as a movie maker.
Kiwi actress Zoë Robins on the challenges of fantasy screen acting
Zoë Robins shares tips for green screen acting after featuring in The Wheel of Time.
Quiz: Test your Barbenheimer knowledge
You’ve seen the movies. But were you paying attention?