Weisse Massai, Die (2005)

Director:

Hermine Huntgeburth

Writers:

Corinne Hofmann (novel)
Johannes W. Betz (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

15 September 2005 (Germany)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Based upon an autobiographical novel by Swiss writer Corinne Hofmann, the film tells of a girl, Carola...

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Nina Hoss	...	Carola Lehmann
Jacky Ido	...	Lemalian
Katja Flint	...	Elisabeth
Antonio Prester	...	Pater Bernardo (as Nino Prester)
Janek Rieke	...	Stefan
Helen Namaso Lenamarken	...	Lemalians Mama
Nicolas Sironka	...	Mini-Chief
Damaris Itenyo Agweyu	...	Asma (as Damaris Agweyu)
Barbara M. Ahren	...	Carolas Mutter (as Barbara Magdalena Ahren)
Robert Dölle	...	Frank
Barbara Herschbach	...	Jenny
Morgan Lematampash	...	Tom
Kiriniyaga Lenamatiyo	...	John
Christine Namkuny	...	Saguna
John Erick	...	Mike

Also Known As:

The White Massai (International: English title)

Runtime:

131 min | Argentina:131 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival)

Country:

Germany

Language:

German | Swahili | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | Hungary:16 | Australia:M | Brazil:16 | Finland:K-15 | Argentina:13 | Czech Republic:12

Filming Locations:

Kenya

Company:

Constantin Film Produktion

Trivia:

The cast and crew lived in tents among the Samburu during the entire shoot. They also studied their language and customs.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Smagsdommerne: (#3.14)" (2006)

More than she bargained for

The White Masai is a very handsome production that showcases excellent cinematography by Martin Langer and some fine performances by Nina Hoss and Katja Flint as two European women trying to cope with life in Kenya. Carola knows fairly early on that she has gotten into a situation that will call on all her emotional resources if she is to survive. Nina Hoss conveys her sudden attraction to Lemalian, followed by bruising experiences with female circumcision, a woman called bewitched who gives birth at the side of the road, a crooked "mini-chief" who craftily skims money off the receipts at her store, and other trials. She seeks help from Pater Bernardo the missionary, very skillfully played by Antonio Prester.

The story is engrossing but it is true, as another commenter noted, that you're never in doubt about the next plot turn. This film should be seen by all those who enjoyed The African Queen and Out of Africa; it has the same romantic appeal as those classics.