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IMDbPro

White Material

  • 20092009
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
7.7K
YOUR RATING
Isabelle Huppert in White Material (2009)
A drama set in an unnamed African country and centered on a French plantation owner caught in the midst of a civil war.
Play trailer1:45
1 Video
73 Photos
  • Drama
  • War
Amidst turmoil and racial conflict in a Francophone African state, a white French woman fights for her coffee crop, her family and ultimately for her life.Amidst turmoil and racial conflict in a Francophone African state, a white French woman fights for her coffee crop, her family and ultimately for her life.Amidst turmoil and racial conflict in a Francophone African state, a white French woman fights for her coffee crop, her family and ultimately for her life.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
7.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Claire Denis
  • Writers
    • Claire Denis(scenario)
    • Marie N'Diaye(scenario)
    • Lucie Borleteau(collaboration)
  • Stars
    • Isabelle Huppert
    • Christopher Lambert
    • Isaach De Bankolé
Top credits
  • Director
    • Claire Denis
  • Writers
    • Claire Denis(scenario)
    • Marie N'Diaye(scenario)
    • Lucie Borleteau(collaboration)
  • Stars
    • Isabelle Huppert
    • Christopher Lambert
    • Isaach De Bankolé
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 30User reviews
    • 120Critic reviews
    • 81Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 10 nominations

    Videos1

    White Material
    Trailer 1:45
    White Material

    Photos73

    Isabelle Huppert in White Material (2009)
    Christopher Lambert and Isabelle Huppert in White Material (2009)
    Isaach De Bankolé in White Material (2009)
    Nicolas Duvauchelle in White Material (2009)
    Isabelle Huppert in White Material (2009)
    Isabelle Huppert and Nicolas Duvauchelle in White Material (2009)
    Isabelle Huppert in White Material (2009)
    Isabelle Huppert in White Material (2009)
    White Material (2009)
    White Material (2009)
    White Material (2009)
    White Material (2009)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Isabelle Huppert
    Isabelle Huppert
    • Maria Vialas Maria Vial
    Christopher Lambert
    Christopher Lambert
    • André Vialas André Vial
    • (as Christophe Lambert)
    Isaach De Bankolé
    Isaach De Bankolé
    • Le Boxeuras Le Boxeur
    Nicolas Duvauchelle
    Nicolas Duvauchelle
    • Manuel Vialas Manuel Vial
    William Nadylam
    William Nadylam
    • Chérif, le maireas Chérif, le maire
    Michel Subor
    Michel Subor
    • Henri Vial, le propriétaireas Henri Vial, le propriétaire
    Adèle Ado
    • Lucie, la femme d'Andréas Lucie, la femme d'André
    Ali Barkai
    • Jeep, le chef des enfants rebellesas Jeep, le chef des enfants rebelles
    Jean-Marie Ahanda
    Martin Poulibe
    Patrice Eya
    Serge Mong
    Mama Njouam
    Thomas Dumerchez
    Christine-Ange Tatah
    Suzanne Ayuck
    Daniel Tchangang
    • Joséas José
    Lionnel Messi Inoussa
    • Director
      • Claire Denis
    • Writers
      • Claire Denis(scenario)
      • Marie N'Diaye(scenario)
      • Lucie Borleteau(collaboration)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The scene where Maria goes into her son's bedroom to wake him up was written intentionally long, with numerous throwaway lines, so that it could be cut way down during editing. According to director Claire Denis, Isabelle Huppert's line readings were so precise and meaningful that they ended up not cutting a single word.
    • Goofs
      The position of the goat's head in the coffee beans changes between shots.
    • Connections
      Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.13 (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Night Nurse
      Written by Gregory Isaacs and Sylvester Weise

      Performed by Gregory Isaacs

    User reviews30

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Important work of Ms Denis for its style and its content
    One of the important works of director Claire Denis. The film is important for two major themes it explores: one, the relationships of the colonial expats and the African natives and the resulting social and economic inequality; and two, the internal politics, corruption, and lack of respect for human life when one has gun power.

    The film is one of the better performances of the lead actress Isabelle Huppert, who apparently approached the director for an opportunity to work with her. Denis works with regular actors and crew. Among the cast, Michel Subor (the owner of the coffee plantation) and Isaach de Bankole (the injured 'Boxer', a name referenced on the matchboxes he uses in Jarmusch's film 'The Limits of Control') come to mind. The crew includes music composer Stuart Staples and his band Tindersticks (and Ms Denis has a great ear for music that elevates her works). What constitutes the White Material? The white colonial expatriates born and living in Africa is one way to look at it. Another would be their possessions--cigarette lighters, clothes, masks (opening sequences), immovable property, mixed-race progeny they create, indoor table decorations that young native, blonde hair, blue eyes (all of which are stated in the script).
    helpful•0
    0
    • JuguAbraham
    • Apr 25, 2021

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 24, 2010 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • Cameroon
    • Official site
      • Official site (France)
    • Language
      • French
    • Also known as
      • 白鬼子
    • Production companies
      • Why Not Productions
      • Wild Bunch
      • France 3 Cinéma
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $304,020
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $34,613
      • Nov 21, 2010
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,392,434
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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