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is conveyed by Port's bleak awareness of having wasted precious time, and by Kit's
realization that it is impossible to reacquire it. The subsequent release of Little Buddha also
focused on the contrast between Western and Eastern concepts of time, and this confirms the
issue's significance for Bertolucci. A final consideration of the film should perhaps centre on
its Italian title, 77 te nel deserto (Tea in the Desert), since it represents a significant example
of a misleading title. It originates from the anecdote narrated in the film by the prostitute
about three girls, who, having been invited to have tea in the desert, perish there, but the
reference passes largely unnoticed due to the scene's predominant sensuality. The Italian title
cast an aura of superficial exoticism over the film which influenced some critics who could
not resist comparing it to 'a travel agency advertisement' (Socci, 1996: 80). Again, while
considering the degree of visual spectacle contained in the film, such perspectives arguably
fail to recognize the film's attempt to raise questions regarding Western lifestyles and
civilization. Bertolucci voiced this concern, noting that 'the isolated melancholy experienced
by Port and Kit forty years ago has now assumed epidemic proportions', and that in the
'renewed search for alternative values' it was not surprising that 'existentialism should once
again take hold of the popular imagination' (Leys, 1990: 58-59).
Notes
1. Mrs. Moore and Adele, her daughter-in-law, travel from England to India to visit her son and Adele's
fiance, who is a magistrate of the Empire. They are critical of colonialist attitudes and develop a sincere
interest and sentiment of friendship towards the locals, which dramatically affects their lives.
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