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White Material

Play trailer Poster for White Material 2010 1h 45m Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 95 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
As the owner of a coffee plantation in Africa, Maria (Isabelle Huppert) wants only to see her business through the harvest, no matter what's happening around it. Instead of fleeing what seems to be a dangerous conflict, she puts her faith in a rebel leader called The Boxer (Isaach de Bankolé). But as civil wars rip through the continent, and the area becomes increasingly dangerous, Maria may be putting both herself and her family in danger by attempting to weather the storm.

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White Material

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Critics Consensus

Isabelle Huppert is an immoveable object surrounded by unstoppable forces in White Material, an incendiary character study and political thriller that showcases director Claire Denis' expertise in ratcheting tension.

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Critics Reviews

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William Goss Film.com A maddening movie that gives the viewer plenty to think about, but little to care about. Apr 14, 2011 Full Review Calvin Wilson St. Louis Post-Dispatch White Material is unhurried in its storytelling but unshakable in its impact. Rated: 3.5/4 Jan 31, 2011 Full Review Cary Darling Dallas Morning News A thoughtful, if sometimes frustrating, tale of a Frenchwoman caught in the middle of a civil war in an unidentified African country. Rated: 3/5 Jan 14, 2011 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) White Material is illuminated by a different flame… what it's missing in sanity it has more left over in raucous sensory excitement. [Full review in Spanish] Aug 9, 2022 Full Review Ryne Clos Spectrum Culture A condemnation of the self-congratulatory 21st-century European worldview that has deluded itself into thinking that racial domination and colonial structures are of the past. Jun 3, 2022 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review The cinema of Claire Denis cuts into the essential core of its subject matter with unflinching reality. Rated: 4/4 Feb 14, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dave S The beneficiary of French colonialism, Maria (Isabelle Huppert) owns a coffee plantation in an unnamed African country. Steadfast in her refusal to abandon both her business and her property in the face of a revolution motivated by the desire of the natives to reclaim their land, she puts the lives of anyone in her orbit at risk. While the structure of the film feels a bit wobbly at times, this is probably a conscious effort by director Claire Denis to establish a sense of instability and uncertainty as the protagonist tries to salvage what she believes she is entitled to. As always, Huppert is excellent throughout and Denis directs with confidence. In addition, the primarily handheld camerawork is remarkable and the locations are stunning. Denis again proves herself to be one of the most versatile and impactful directors working today. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/26/24 Full Review Audience Member As obras de Claire Denis sempre representativa e significativa, de uma intensidade e realismo, cru, quase bruto, os dois anteriores com as mesmas características, mas foi aqui, que eu mais me identifiquei, ela entrou num mundo patriarcal, em meio a guerra civil, e o amor de mãe incondicional, fotografia e caracterizações perfeitas, atuações intensas, roteiro escritos nas entrelinhas, forte e cativante… Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Tim G While there's a bit of a "have I seen this before? or maybe it was a book?" familiar element to the plot it still hits hard. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/23/21 Full Review Audience Member A great movie by Claire Denis with an inspired Isabelle Huppert Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Its use of nonlinear narrative helps it's subtle power become more fully realized and enraged. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member Female lead did fight really hard for what she wanted... Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Claire Denis

Director

Isabelle Huppert

Maria

Isaach de Bankolé

The Boxer

Christopher Lambert

André Val

Nicolas Duvauchelle

Manuel Vial

William Nadylam

The Mayor

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White Material

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Movie Info

Synopsis As the owner of a coffee plantation in Africa, Maria (Isabelle Huppert) wants only to see her business through the harvest, no matter what's happening around it. Instead of fleeing what seems to be a dangerous conflict, she puts her faith in a rebel leader called The Boxer (Isaach de Bankolé). But as civil wars rip through the continent, and the area becomes increasingly dangerous, Maria may be putting both herself and her family in danger by attempting to weather the storm.
Director
Claire Denis
Producer
Pascal Caucheteux
Screenwriter
Claire Denis, Marie N'Diaye
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Why Not Productions
Genre
Drama, War
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 19, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$302.8K
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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