The old boy network is still very strong and very true. Just look at the stock exchange and how many men and women are there. It is still very much run by men.
The love scenes that worked, regardless of the director, were the ones where the actors weren't fearful. When somebody was fearful, you could see it right away. It takes you out of the story, and that's to be avoided at all costs.
In 1995, sanctions led Sudan to cut its ties with terrorists and expel Osama bin Laden.