In the White City (1983)

A Swiss sailor jumps ship in Lisbon, tired of the noisy engine room, the ship "a floating factory of crazy people." He rents a room and does little. He writes letters to his lover, ... See full summary »

Director:

Alain Tanner

Writer:

Alain Tanner

Stars:

Bruno Ganz, Teresa Madruga, Julia Vonderlinn

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Bruno Ganz	...	Paul
Teresa Madruga	...	Rosa
Julia Vonderlinn	...	Élisa / The Swiss woman
José Carvalho	...	Le patron
Francisco Baião	...	Le voleur au couteau
José Wallenstein	...	L'autre voleur
Victor Costa	...	Le garçon du bar
Lídia Franco	...	La fille du bar
Pedro Efe	...	L'ami dans la taverne
Cecília Guimarães	...	La dame du train
Joana Vicente	...	La jeune fille du train
José de Carvalho	...	Le patron

Storyline

A Swiss sailor jumps ship in Lisbon, tired of the noisy engine room, the ship "a floating factory of crazy people." He rents a room and does little. He writes letters to his lover, describing the whiteness of the city, the solitude and the silence. He sends his love and emptiness; she replies with love and confusion. He sends movies from his 8mm camera. Then he becomes friendly with Rosa, a chambermaid, and soon it's a love affair. He continues to send letters and movies home. His Swiss lover is hurt and angry; she sends an ultimatum.

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Plot Keywords:

female frontal nudity | male rear nudity | female rear nudity | sex scene | breasts | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Switzerland Portugal UK

Language:

English German Portuguese French

Release Date:

21 April 1983 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

In the White City

Filming Locations:

Portugal

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, Filmograph S.A., Metro Filmes

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

User Reviews

An Alain Tanner film in which Portuguese capital Lisbon is as important as its actors.

In his long career as one of Swiss cinema's biggest as well as famous directors, Alain Tanner has made many "self discovery" genre of films. These are films in which actors are mere tools to propagate directors' ideas about art, creativity and life as they also turn out to be their alter egos. The opinion about these films is divided. Some viewers consider them to be absolutely pretentious. There are also viewers who judge these films to be intelligent. As a film critic, I chose to watch this film as it is a film admired by my friend Jean-Jacques Beineix. In the white city is an intelligent film about loneliness, loss of companionship with surprising erotic elements. It would appeal to viewers as it raises many questions about which no definitive answers can be found. One is free to choose as many personal interpretations as possible. These questions are related to a person's desire to escape from everything which is an essential part of life. Dans La Ville Blanche / In the white city connects easily with viewers especially those intrepid souls who would like to escape from all forms of civilization. Apart from actor Bruno Ganz in one of the best roles of his career, city of Lisbon emerges as a major star attraction. It is worth exploring for the turbulent nature of its old city, markets, and pool halls.