Two years of Covid: The arts reflect

Two years on from the start of the global Covid pandemic, we reflect on artistic reflections from across the arts, and the power of human resilience. On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation declared Covid-19 a pandemic, and since then over six million lives have been lost. The world as we knew it has changed. Documentary-maker Matthew Heineman reflects on filming the unfolding health crisis. In March 2020, as New York shut down, he embedded himself in one of America’s hardest-hit hospitals, and for four months filmed medical staff, essential worker patients, and families as they battled with the virus. His Oscar shortlisted film, The First Wave, documents the harsh realities of the early pandemic, and the terrible inequalities - but also the incredible strength of the human spirit. Hollywood’s Andrew Garfield on an actor’s life silenced during lockdown. The pandemic has had a huge impact on the arts: bringing productions to a halt, closing theatres, cinemas, and live music, and leaving artists without means to perform. It closed down film productions, including Oscar-nominated tick, tick…BOOM! Days into filming, lead actor - the award-winning British-American Andrew Garfield - suddenly found himself alone, without cast or crew to play to. Andrew talks to the BBC’s Anna Bailey about how he kept going in those quiet times, got back into filming, and is now up for an Oscar. Plus, writer Ilaria Bernardini considers the Italian people’s cultural response. Italy was the first country in Europe to be overwhelmed by the virus, the first in the world to shut down, and one of the slowest to reopen. During those first weeks of lockdown, the people of Italy united to keep their spirits up, and moving musical performances from balconies went viral. Two years on - from her home in Milan and with Italy still in a State of Emergency - writer Ilaria Bernardini reflects on life under strict lockdown, how artists brought hope in those uncertain times, and the changes she’s seen since. And the Zimbabwean artist sharing health messages through his sculptures. When the pandemic hit, artist, sculptor, and lawyer David Ngwerume decided he could help - through art. He tells us about his stone sculptures of people wearing masks and having vaccines - sculptures he hopes can help stem the spread of Covid, in a part of the world where vaccination rates are low. Producer: Emma Wallace (Photo: A still from Matthew Heineman’s documentary The First Wave: Dr Nathalie Dougé participating in protest. Credit: National Geographic)