Paul Bowles: The Cage Door is Always Open

Paul Bowles: The Cage Door is Always Open is an evocative and deeply layered exploration of the life of one of the 20th century's most fascinating and enigmatic figures, author Paul Bowles. Released in 2012 and directed by Daniel Young, this 93-minute, Swiss-documentary film also stars Skiredj Bachir, Roland Beaufre, and features an array of others who aim to paint as honest and complete a picture as possible of the man behind some admittedly complex and controversial literature.

Originally from the United States, Paul Bowles, perhaps best known for his infamous novel "The Sheltering Sky," found himself drawing on his life as an expatriate in Tangier, Morocco to fuel his exploration into the depths of the human soul. Bowles, a prolific writer, composer, and translator, lived an extraordinary life, and this film seeks to reveal this lifestyle. Without ever explicitly holding the viewers' hand, the exploration of Bowles' career as well as his private life invites audiences to decipher a man who essentially defies easy classification.

Roland Beaufre, a prominent photographer and Skiredj Bachir, an actor, both play crucial parts in helping to expose the many sides of Bowles' interesting yet complicated life. They offer insights into his private life, his feelings toward his adoptive city of Tangier, and his creative process. Their narratives evoke the spirit of Bowles' writing: dark, disturbing, and deeply sensitive, rich with both an appreciation for the beauty of Moroccan culture and a kind of terror at the darkness inherent in the human soul.

The film navigates through Bowles' life, art, and the molding of his beliefs, utilizing the perspectives of his close associates, disciples, fans, and even the critics. It showcases a collection of snapshots, photographs, letters, and even home movies, all of which help describe the man whose work has influenced countless others in the field, and yet, as the film outlines, Bowles himself remained somewhat of an impenetrable character, both in life and on the page.

Beyond the stellar performances, what sets Paul Bowles: The Cage Door is Always Open apart is how it frames Bowles' life and work within the context of the era he lived in. This tale of artistic brilliance is set against a backdrop of post-colonialism, wider societal changes, and the birth of literary modernism, an era often critically subjected to Western eyes.

Bowles, despite being a part of this movement, is also depicted as something of a misfit, choosing an altogether more reclusive, introverted lifestyle. At the same time, the film highlights his relationships with global literary luminaries, including Gertrude Stein, Tennessee Williams, and Allen Ginsberg, suggesting that Bowles was more actively involved in the world than one might initially seem to think.

Structurally, the film utilizes fragments of interviews from Bowles' many admirers and detractors, consciously echoing the writer's own fragmented narrative style. This clever framing not only showcases Bowles' unique approach to storytelling but also challenges viewers to put together their own interpretation of this complex and often contradictory man.

Despite his relative obscurity, Paul Bowles was undeniably a genius at his craft. Some perceived him to be aloof, others sensed a mysterious dichotomy within the artist, while some simply found his narratives unnerving, if not downright horrifying. But what remains universally accepted is that Paul Bowles had a profound and lasting impact on literature and culture as a whole.

“Paul Bowles: The Cage Door is Always Open” dissects its subject's obscure life and intriguing career with respect, fascination, and a genuine sense of inquisitiveness. This is ultimately an exploration, an adventure into the life and mind of an artist who stepped - indeed, violently jumped - outside the conventional norms of his time.

Whether you're a dedicated fan of Paul Bowles, a student of modern literature or simply intrigued by the power and influence of the literary world, this film offers a fascinating, extensive window into the works and life of an influential literary figure. Layers of truth and fiction, persona and personality are peeled back, revealing a documentary that is as complex, engaging, and pleasantly mystifying as Bowles' own writings. There is so much more to learn and appreciate about Bowles due to this insightful documentary. Whether you are new to his works or have been appreciating them for ages, there's no doubt that you will find "Paul Bowles: The Cage Door is Always Open" a captivating watch.