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IMDbPro

White Material

  • 2009
  • 16
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
8.6K
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
72 Photos
DramaWar

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.

  • Director
    • Claire Denis
  • Writers
    • Claire Denis
    • Marie N'Diaye
    • Lucie Borleteau
  • Stars
    • Isabelle Huppert
    • Christopher Lambert
    • Isaach De Bankolé
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    8.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Claire Denis
    • Writers
      • Claire Denis
      • Marie N'Diaye
      • Lucie Borleteau
    • Stars
      • Isabelle Huppert
      • Christopher Lambert
      • Isaach De Bankolé
    • 31User reviews
    • 124Critic reviews
    • 81Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 10 nominations

    Videos1

    White Material
    Trailer 1:45
    White Material

    Photos72

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    + 68
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    Top cast32

    Edit
    Isabelle Huppert
    Isabelle Huppert
    • Maria Vial
    Christopher Lambert
    Christopher Lambert
    • André Vial
    • (as Christophe Lambert)
    Isaach De Bankolé
    Isaach De Bankolé
    • Le Boxeur
    Nicolas Duvauchelle
    Nicolas Duvauchelle
    • Manuel Vial
    William Nadylam
    William Nadylam
    • Chérif, le maire
    Michel Subor
    Michel Subor
    • Henri Vial, le propriétaire
    Adèle Ado
    • Lucie, la femme d'André
    Ali Barkai
    • 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
    • José
    Lionnel Messi Inoussa
    • Director
      • Claire Denis
    • Writers
      • Claire Denis
      • Marie N'Diaye
      • Lucie Borleteau
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more 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 reviews31

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10

    maddening characters in a maddening world

    In French colonial Africa, Maria Vial (Isabelle Huppert) is struggling to finish the coffee bean harvest. The rebels are approaching. French forces are leaving. Local have turned to banditry and her workers have mostly abandoned her. The African mayor bullies André Vial (Christopher Lambert) to get his father to sell the plantation. Maria has their white son Manuel and André has his half-African son Jose. Maria stubbornly refuses to leave the harvest even after Manuel is stripped naked by a couple of boys. Manuel starts to deteriorate mentally. Maria discovers wounded rebel fighter Le Boxeur in her barn.

    Isabelle Huppert embodies a fierce interior and stubbornness. The family's varying reaction to their situation can be mind-boggling. There is real tension but also frustration with Maria. These are maddening characters in a maddening world.
    • SnoopyStyle
    • Aug 13, 2016
    • Permalink

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    FAQ19

    • How long is White Material?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 22, 2010 (Netherlands)
    • 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

    Tech specs

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

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