'I like the frosting, wheres the cake?'
This quote from an article about Bertolucci says it all; let's face it - this dude is one shallow director.
If it wasn't for Storario, his movies wouldn't get much attention. He looses interest in the story and then focus on getting those great emotional shots. Big budget is a must. The way I see it, he gets lost and just let the story slip. Another take - he can't handle it. A third - to hell with the story!; it is all about winning at the Oscars.
Bowles must've been frustrated as hell. Damn right!
Btw, berber Morocco and Algeria is always a great setting for a movie. Agadez in Niger and the whole tuareg part with dromedaires in the sand is just breathtakingly bewtiful.
Trivia - Kit is wearing her chech (head cloth) like the men do, covering her mouth. The three wives must've wondered what kinda creature their hubby was locking up. Come to think of it, having four wives is arab style, not touareg, where women traditionally have a stronger standing. Wonder if Bowles wrote that? Have to read the book, I get a feeling it is far superior to this messup eye candy.