The reality proves to be every bit as wonderful as the fantasy and the two enjoy an enigmatic, enclosed and enchanting relationship.

The final sequence shows Antoine, in the salon, dancing to Eastern music just as he has done throughout his life.

The film received the 1990 Prix Louis Delluc which it shared with Le Petit Criminel by Jacques Doillon.

American film critic Roger Ebert added this to his "Great Movies" list on January 27, 2010.

[3] The soundtrack [4] was composed by Michael Nyman and also contains a great deal of Middle Eastern popular music.