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The New Yorker Interview

In-depth conversations with people of note.

Kevin Costner Goes West Again

The actor and director, whose film “Horizon: An American Saga” has been in the making for decades, thinks of the Western as America’s Shakespeare.

Why Jerrod Carmichael Turned His Life Into a Reality Show

The comedian discusses “artists’ lib,” putting a billboard in his home town to get his mother’s attention, and his new effort to “Truman Show” himself.

The Culture Wars Inside the New York Times

Joe Kahn, the newspaper’s executive editor, wants to incentivize his staff to take on difficult stories, even when they might engender scrutiny, or backlash.

How Lonnie G. Bunch III Is Renovating the “Nation’s Attic”

The Smithsonian’s dynamic leader is dredging up slave ships, fending off culture warriors in Congress, and building two new museums on the National Mall.

Lena Dunham’s Change of Pace

From her home base in London, the “Girls” creator is working on a new semi-autobiographical TV series and finishing up a memoir. But, she says, “I definitely don’t want to be my own muse.”

Nicolas Cage Is Still Evolving

The actor talks about the origins of “Adaptation,” his potential leap to television, and the art of “keeping it enigmatic.”

Ira Glass Hears It All

Three decades into “This American Life,” the host thinks the show is doing some of its best work yet—even if he’s still jealous of “The Daily.”

Rashida Jones Wonders What Makes Us Human

The actor discusses the encroachment of A.I., her adolescent tiff with Tupac, and her enduring love of philosophy.

Diane von Furstenberg Will See You Now

The fashion icon is still starring in the story of her life, dispensing wisdom on our age of prudishness, the “three types of women,” and why “only losers don’t feel like losers.”

Susan Seidelman Knows What It’s Like to Be in “Movie Jail”

The groundbreaking director of “Desperately Seeking Susan” on proving people wrong, learning from Nora Ephron, and the upshot of making a movie without realizing you’re pregnant.