While in exile in Italy, an African woman finds herself trying to get back home and free her imprisoned husband. But the only man that can help her do so is in love with her.
Cinematography
Fabio Cianchetti makes Rome shimmer like a fever dream.
Score
African music colliding with classical piano—haunting and intentional.
Acting
Thandiwe Newton's silence speaks entire continents.
Director
Bernardo Bertolucci
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Thandiwe Newton learned basic piano for the role; most playing is actually her. Bertolucci insisted on authenticity over doubling.
The film's African political prisoner subplot was inspired by Kenyan real events, but Bertolucci deliberately kept the country unnamed—critics called it vague, defenders called it universal.
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