Bernardo Bertolucci directed this Italian drama co-scripted by Bertolucci and
Clare Peploe from a story by British-born writer James Lasdun (co-scripter of
Jonathan Nossiter's
Sunday). In Rome, reclusive British composer Jason Kinsky (
David Thewlis) lives in the building he inherited from his aunt, while his cleaning woman Shandurai (
Thandie Newton) resides in the basement, studying medicine. One day, Kinsky tells Shandurai that he loves her and will do anything for her, so she asks him to free her husband, a political prisoner back in Africa. To acquire funds for the man's release, Kinsky begins selling his possessions, including his piano, while Shandurai hangs out with her friend Agostino (Claudio Santamaria), a man angling to get her into bed. Location filming took place in Italy and Kenya. Shown at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival and the 1998 San Sebastian Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide