#33 - RACHEL PORTMAN

Half the Picture’s guest this episode is Rachel Portman, the Oscar-winning composer whose beautiful scores have complemented such films as Emma, Chocolat, Never Let Me Go, One Day and Life is Sweet amongst so many others.

Rachel joined Billy on the pod’ to chat about her memories of winning the Oscar for best score in 1997 (the first female composer to ever do so) as well as her close working relationship with director Douglas McGrath on the film. She also reflected on her multiple collaborations with Mike Leigh, why memorable melodies are increasingly vanishing from the landscape of modern film score along with why there’s almost too much music in modern movies and chooses her own personal favourites of all the scores she’s composed. For all this and more, listen on!

Note: This interview was recorded on 24th March, 2026

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‘RACHEL PORTMAN talks Making Oscar History, Emma & Why Modern Movies Have Too Much Music' is a non-profit project intended for educational purposes only. No copyright laws were intended to be broken. All rights to any material used remain courtesy of their respective owners.