Similar to the Bible or most of epics, it is impossible to create some smooth and comprehensive work of art from Arabian Nights. It is a bunch of stories of different eras and angles and places of actions lie thousands of kilometers from each other. Pasolini has taken some hectic picks, invited plump women and skinny men (incl. his own lover) and made a loosely combined film where male bodies have full nudity as well, if required (would be interesting to know how the director made those teens and young people to perform so naturally). The 2 hours seems a bit long though, i.e. 1st half of the film is more dynamic and catchy. But the background and habits of the Arab past is well expressed, and Pasolini himself is less profound or less degenerated as usual :)
Review of Arabian Nights
Arabian Nights
(1974)
Uneven interpretation of old tales... But erotics had its role
22 October 2012