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White Material

Play trailer Poster for White Material 2010,  1h 45m,  Drama/ War Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 86% 94 Reviews Tomatometer 64% 10,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
86% Tomatometer 94 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
As the owner of a coffee plantation in Africa, Maria (Isabelle Huppert) wants only to see her business through the harvest, no matter what's happening around it. Instead of fleeing what seems to be a dangerous conflict, she puts her faith in a rebel leader called The Boxer (Isaach de Bankolé). But as civil wars rip through the continent, and the area becomes increasingly dangerous, Maria may be putting both herself and her family in danger by attempting to weather the storm.
White Material

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Isabelle Huppert is an immoveable object surrounded by unstoppable forces in White Material, an incendiary character study and political thriller that showcases director Claire Denis' expertise in ratcheting tension.

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Critics Reviews

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William Goss Film.com Apr 14, 2011
A maddening movie that gives the viewer plenty to think about, but little to care about. Go to Full Review
Calvin Wilson St. Louis Post-Dispatch Jan 31, 2011
3.5/4
White Material is unhurried in its storytelling but unshakable in its impact. Go to Full Review
Cary Darling Dallas Morning News Jan 14, 2011
3/5
A thoughtful, if sometimes frustrating, tale of a Frenchwoman caught in the middle of a civil war in an unidentified African country. Go to Full Review
Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Aug 9, 2022
White Material is illuminated by a different flame… what it's missing in sanity it has more left over in raucous sensory excitement. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Ryne Clos Spectrum Culture Jun 3, 2022
A condemnation of the self-congratulatory 21st-century European worldview that has deluded itself into thinking that racial domination and colonial structures are of the past. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Feb 14, 2022
4/4
The cinema of Claire Denis cuts into the essential core of its subject matter with unflinching reality. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Harry G Jun 24, 2018 I found the film sucks. Looks like too many events are cobbled together without preparation. Characters that know each other for long time seems not to care for each other. It's low budget. The story can't work as is. We arrive in strange country , we don't know anyone or anything and it is crumbling fast. It seems revenge racism is at work but it is only thieves and thugs that are profiting. A bit like under Mobutu. See more
Harry R Mar 7, 2018 A great movie by Claire Denis with an inspired Isabelle Huppert
George S Oct 25, 2017 Its use of nonlinear narrative helps it's subtle power become more fully realized and enraged.
Leia M Nov 3, 2014 An interesting film about a very stubborn French woman who will not leave her coffee plantation although war is closing in on her. She fights to save her property and family. See more
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White Material

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Claire Denis

Director

Isabelle Huppert

Maria

Isaach de Bankolé

The Boxer

Christopher Lambert

André Val

Nicolas Duvauchelle

Manuel Vial

William Nadylam

The Mayor

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White Material

White Material (2009) White Material (2009) White Material (2009) White Material (2009) White Material (2009) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis As the owner of a coffee plantation in Africa, Maria (Isabelle Huppert) wants only to see her business through the harvest, no matter what's happening around it. Instead of fleeing what seems to be a dangerous conflict, she puts her faith in a rebel leader called The Boxer (Isaach de Bankolé). But as civil wars rip through the continent, and the area becomes increasingly dangerous, Maria may be putting both herself and her family in danger by attempting to weather the storm.
Director
Claire Denis
Producer
Pascal Caucheteux
Screenwriter
Claire Denis, Marie N'Diaye
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Why Not Productions
Genre
Drama, War
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 19, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$302.8K
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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