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White Material

White Material

Drama · 2010

In the midst of a volatile regime change in a Francophone African state, Maria Vial is fighting to sustain her family’s coffee plantation. With rebels and the army struggling for control, French peacekeeping forces move out, warning the remaining white residents that they’re on their own. But Maria refuses to be driven off the land, even as tragedy looms.

Movie details

White Material

“In the African heat, one woman stands alone”

2010 Drama 1h 46m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.7 / 10

Community rating

In the midst of a volatile regime change in a Francophone African state, Maria Vial is fighting to sustain her family’s coffee plantation. With rebels and the army struggling for control, French peacekeeping forces move out, warning the remaining white residents that they’re on their own. But Maria refuses to be driven off the land, even as tragedy looms.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over White Material?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Claire Denis

Written by

Claire Denis · Marie N'Diaye

Isabelle Huppert

Isabelle Huppert

Maria Vial

Christopher Lambert

Christopher Lambert

André Vial

Nicolas Duvauchelle

Nicolas Duvauchelle

Manuel Vial

Isaach de Bankolé

Isaach de Bankolé

Boxer

William Nadylam

William Nadylam

Chérif

Michel Subor

Michel Subor

Henri Vial

Adèle Ado

Adèle Ado

Lucie

Court is in session

Put White Material on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.