White Material

"In the African heat, one woman stands alone"

2010 1h 46m FR

👍

6.7

SOLID

★6.7TMDB · 181

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

In the midst of a volatile regime change in a Francophone African state, Maria Vial is fighting to sustain her family’s coffee plantation. With rebels and the army struggling for control, French peacekeeping forces move out, warning the remaining white residents that they’re on their own. But Maria refuses to be driven off the land, even as tragedy looms.

“In the African heat, one woman stands alone”

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Cast

Isabelle Huppert
Maria Vial
Christopher Lambert
André Vial
Nicolas Duvauchelle
Manuel Vial
Isaach de Bankolé
Boxer
William Nadylam
Chérif
Michel Subor
Henri Vial
Adèle Ado
Lucie
Ali Barkai
Jeep

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Claire Denis
Writers: Claire Denis, Marie N'Diaye, Lucie Borleteau
Languages: French
Countries: France, Cameroon

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 16 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: France, Cameroon.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Claire Denis, shot by Yves Cape. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Stuart A. Staples. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Guy Lecorne shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Isabelle Huppert and Christopher Lambert and Nicolas Duvauchelle carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "In the African heat, one woman stands alone".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt1135952 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Claire Denis directs. Yves Cape behind the camera. Stuart A. Staples scores. Guy Lecorne cuts. Produced in France, Cameroon. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 16 years ago.
2International production across 2 countries: France, Cameroon.
3Directed by Claire Denis, shot by Yves Cape. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Stuart A. Staples. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Guy Lecorne shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Isabelle Huppert and Christopher Lambert and Nicolas Duvauchelle carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "In the African heat, one woman stands alone".
8IMDB entry: tt1135952 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.