Besieged (1998)

When an African dictator jails her husband, Shandurai goes into exile in Italy, studying medicine and keeping house for Mr. Kinsky, an eccentric English pianist and composer. She lives in ... See full summary »

Director:

Bernardo Bertolucci

Writers:

Clare Peploe, Bernardo Bertolucci,

Stars:

Thandie Newton, David Thewlis, Claudio Santamaria

2 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Thandie Newton	...	Shandurai
David Thewlis	...	Jason Kinsky
Claudio Santamaria	...	Agostino
John C. Ojwang	...	Singer
Massimo De Rossi	...	Patient
Cyril Nri	...	Priest
Paul Osul	...	Piano Buyer
Veronica Lazar	...	Piano Buyer
Gian Franco Mazzoni	...	Piano Buyer (as Gianfranco Mazzoni)
Maria Mazetti Di Pietralata	...	Piano Buyer
Andrea Quercia	...	Child pianist at concert
Alexander Menis	...	Child at concert
Natalia Mignosa	...	Child at concert
Lorenzo Mollica	...	Child at concert
Elena Perino	...	Child at concert

Storyline

When an African dictator jails her husband, Shandurai goes into exile in Italy, studying medicine and keeping house for Mr. Kinsky, an eccentric English pianist and composer. She lives in one room of his Roman palazzo. He besieges her with flowers, gifts, and music, declaring passionately that he loves her, would go to Africa with her, would do anything for her. "What do you know of Africa?," she asks, then, in anguish, shouts, "Get my husband out of jail!" The rest of the film plays out the implications of this scene and leaves Shandurai with a choice.

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Plot Keywords:

jail | italy | composer | african | gift | 

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Taglines:

Touched by Genius. Cursed by Madness. Blinded by Love.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brief sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Bac Films [fr] (French) Official Site (International)

Country:

Italy UK

Language:

English Italian Swahili

Release Date:

21 May 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Asediada

Filming Locations:

Nairobi, Kenya

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$159,289 (USA) (21 May 1999)

Gross:

$2,032,621 (USA) (30 July 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fiction Films, Navert Film, Mediaset

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References Chungking Express (1994)

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Soundtracks

Original soundtrack available on Milan/BMG Records

User Reviews

Low budget Bertolucci.

We have a glimpse of Shandurai's environment in a central African nation where the ruthless military politics take over and screw up her life. Welcome to Bertolucci territory you may think? Not so, we keep clear of the politics and arrive in Italy where Shandurai finds refuge as a maid cleaning a neglected household run by an eccentric lay-about British piano player. Now you may think we have the wrong film! Yes, it is a Bertolucci movie without the Tango In Paris. This is simple Bertolucci at his best. It's about conquering unwanted love the old fashion way, dealt with a sense of mystery and plenty of patience. All the imagery elements fall into place as we journey with Shandurai and her decision. Effective in every way right through to the performances of Newton and Thewlis. A very pleasing film on the senses thanks to Bertolucci who has ventured into the basic fundamentals of low budget cinema.