|
A video documentary which explains Paul Bowles's work as a composer, long before he became an author of novels and short stories and explains the transition he took from music to writing, via Paris and Berlin. Bowles discusses his compositional works in detail - from Paris through to his South American period Latin pieces, which are presented against a backdrop of Mexican film and and also black and white film footage of New York in the 1940's. There are also some of the vocal songs, complete, not short samples. Paul Bowles explains his musical preferences in the light of his overall philosophy, which is always a joy to hear. By the time the movie is over you feel like you have known Paul Bowles all of your life. 'Night Waltz' is an important work which truly captures the essence of the music of Paul Bowles, long before he became an author. An exceptional piece of cinematography and winner of the The Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) 1999 Award Winners: Juried Selectio
'If a man was not on his way anywhere, if life was something else, entirely different; if life was a question of being, for a long continuous instant that was all one, then the best thing for him to do was to sit back and be, and whatever happened, he still was.' says Paul Bowles. This video offers a very decent and contemplative overview of the lifestyle of Paul Bowles, expressed in his own highly individualistic way.
From
beginning to end this movie is absorbing and totally captivating. Paul
Bowles is seen here in his home environment of Tangier. Beginning with
the sounds and music in the Medina, tracing back to 'The Sheltering
Sky', and talking about the plots of the books, which, of necessity,
always feature people in trouble. Paul talks about his feelings of
being a 'complete outsider' all of his life - but don't let this
comment put you off - this is a very good Paul Bowles video.
This video is now available at reasonable price at various outlets. Paul discusses his friendship with Gertrude Stein in Paris (with some film footage of Stein) and how he arrived in Tangier. A nice part of this film is of what turned out to be the last reunion of Paul Bowles, William Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg in the Mayfair Hotel in New York in 1985, and their conversations, as shown here, are very enjoyable. Jo McPhillips, Marguerite McBey and Ned Rorem discuss Paul and Jane and Phillip Ramey also discusses the music of Paul Bowles. A brief interview with 'Sherifa' (Amina Bekalia, Jane Bowles's friend) is also featured on this video.
This video is like a breath of fresh air, and a wonderful offering from 'The London Studios.' The esteemed UK TV producer/director, Melvyn (now Lord) Bragg interviews Paul Bowles in Tangier. After ten minutes or so of trying to 'define' definitions, the two men settle into a mellow affinity together, and the video warms to the portrayal of Paul Bowles talking about magic, inspiration and Tangier past - the long-gone 'International Zone.' Bowles also talks about the relationship between his musical compositions and written works with a verbal analysis of his writing style. There are also three onscreen explained motifs of 'Let it Come Down', 'The Spider's House' and 'The Sheltering Sky,' which are all done very well indeed. This 1988 video is a very analytical, but extremely enjoyable, UK documentary which provides further insight into the life and work of Paul Bowles.
English and Arabic
with English Subtitles.
Guten Tag! to all of
our visitors from Germany! Hi Elena! 'The
Sheltering Sky' (1990) DVD
Paul Bowles narrates
this film and Bernardo Bertolucci adapts this Paul Bowles title which
is about two fictional characters, Port and Kit Moresby, who leave New
York for Morocco, where they hope to find themselves and rediscover
their rocky marriage. Timothy Spall is arguably the best actor for his
part in this movie - he and his 'Mother' are quite entertaining. Nice
to see Paul Bowles in the beginning and end in the café scenes
and hear his own narration.
|
'The
Complete Outsider' USA
