Review of White Material (2010) by Gordon A — 09 Dec 2010
Claire Denis returns to Africa for the first time since Beau Travail, with the examination of Maria Vial, the ex-wife of a plantation owner who works against all reason to keep her colonial plantation open during the first days of civil war.
Isabelle Huppert as she has done so many times before gives a strong performance as she carries the weight of all going on around her through her fierce determination to deliver her last coffee harvest.
The evils of the colonial plantation are seen through the actions of her only son, a layabout who lashes out after he is attacked by rebels. His rage turns into empathy as joins with rebels by helping them reclaim the fruits of their exploitation.
Claire Denis spent a good part of her childhood in Africa and her feelings about French occupation of the land she so clearly loves comes through here. A taut character study wrapped around the darkness of colonialism.
This review of White Material (2010) was written by Gordon A on 09 Dec 2010.
White Material has generally received positive reviews.
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