Although the film takes liberties - the book makes it clear the warrior speaks neither English or German -- the question must be asked: why does a woman fall in love with a man she doesn't even know. It couldn't have been lust because it was clear he was an appalling lover initially at least. The cultures are so far apart. This is not just Africa vs Europe but rural Africa vs urban Europe. The film in no way explains how a person, probably educated and surely emancipated, would want to spend her live in the bush with a macho man with nothing but outstanding scenery to compensate. Living in a shared hut and sharing pools of water to wash. No wildlife, just goats and cattle; seemingly nothing to read, no one with whom to communicate except the odd visit to another woman in the town and a hostile pastor. It is so far from comprehensible that I viewed the film with increasing incredulity. Yes, the scenery was wonderful but African is so much more.
Review of The White Massai
