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Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore has a hot property with his latest film, Fahrenheit 9/11. It takes a penetrating look at the U.S. political response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Film industry watchers say attempts to censor the film may have improved its prospects at the box office. NPR's Kim Masters reports.

An innovative program in New York will have diverse artists contribute samples of their work to a trust. Over time, some of the works should increase in value. The money raised will allow the trust to pay out pensions when the artists retire. NPR's Rick Karr reports.

The National Endowment for the Arts has launched a new initiative called "Shakespeare in American Communities." It's the largest American tour of Shakespeare, bringing live, professional theater to more than a hundred cities and towns across the country. But not everyone is pleased with the federal agency's ambitious program. NPR's Elizabeth Blair reports.

In Kansas City, home to some of the nation's top sports architects, a competition is unfolding to build a new downtown sports arena. The local firms' competition comes from acclaimed California architect Frank Gehry, who's better known for designing museums. NPR's Greg Allen reports.

This weekend's opening of Shrek 2 broke box office records for an animated film. The film smashed records and jolted Hollywood out of a box-office slump. The showing also increases the chances that Dreamworks, the privately held studio, could make a public stock offering later this year. NPR's Kim Masters reports.

An unidentified buyer paid $104.1 million Wednesday for a Pablo Picasso painting sold at Sotheby's in New York -- a record price for a work of art sold at auction. "Boy with a Pipe" was painted in 1905 and dates from Picasso's Rose Period. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and reporter David D'Arcy.

French arts performers plan to strike as the Cannes Film Festival gets under way Wednesday in France. Actors, dancers, electricians and cameramen say government reforms have cut some of their unemployment benefits. Festival organizers scrambling to make sure the event is not shut down. NPR's Renee Montagne reports.

Shadowmancer, an allegorical novel for teens about the battle between good and evil, has become a British bestseller, been translated into 20 languages and optioned for the movies. In the United States, the book's publisher is declaring it 'hotter than Potter,' but some critics say first-time author G.P. Taylor's writing is no match for J.K. Rowling. Jeff Lunden reports.

Anti-smoking activists want to put an "R" rating on films that show actors smoking. Sen. John Ensign of Nevada is among those who want the Motion Picture Association of America to change its ratings system and recognize what he calls "gratuitous smoking." NPR's Neda Ulaby reports.

The Pentagon severs funding to Ahmed Chalabi's Iraqi National Congress. Chalabi's home and offices were raided Thursday by Iraqi police backed by U.S. forces. was previously promoted by the Bush administration as a possible choice to lead Iraq. He now stands accused of corruption and of A prominent Iraqi exile, Chalabi providing U.S. intelligence to Iran. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.