The
late Paul Bowles was a gifted and prolific
composer who pretty much stopped writing
music when he moved from New York to Tangiers
in the late 1940s. After turning to prose
he wrote several accomplished books, including
the critically acclaimed "The
Sheltering Sky."
A
fan of his writings, director Owsley
Brown later learned of Bowles' neglected
musical legacy. Before Bowles' death,
Brown conducted extensive interviews and,
with Bowles' guidance, selected a number
of compositions.
Brown
set them to appropriately edited film
sequences, including some vintage footage
shot in the 1930s and 1940s by pioneer
independent film-maker Rudy Burckhardt.
Editor/cinematographer
Nathaniel Dorsky provided additional
material and the result is a genuine
visual and aural delight.
Brown
is excited about his debut film being
shown in Berlin. "Europeans are more
receptive," he says, "a bit more willing
to be engaged by a contemplative piece."
by
Owsley Brown