Material Girl

Set in a fictional African nation, French filmmaker Claire Denis’s polarizing film White Material evocatively echoes the ongoing tension between European entrepreneurs and Africans locals. Marie N’Diaye’s script takes place in an unknown time, but the reflections of Africa’s postcolonial racial strife is timely and compelling. Caught in the midst...

By Chris Joseph

December 30, 2010

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Set in a fictional African nation, French filmmaker Claire Denis’s polarizing film White Material evocatively echoes the ongoing tension between European entrepreneurs and Africans locals. Marie N’Diaye’s script takes place in an unknown time, but the reflections of Africa’s postcolonial racial strife is timely and compelling. Caught in the midst of an unstable regime change and mounting civil unrest in her African nation, Maria, played by Isabelle Huppert, fights to save her family’s coffee plantation. Maria remains resolute in staying in the country until the crops have been harvested, even though France is pulling out. As civil war looms, the rebel militia’s leader finds himself on the run, while the nation’s regular army is intent on regaining control. The rising tension forces the remaining white residents to evacuate to save their lives. Maria, however, refuses to be driven off her land.The film also stars Christopher Lambert, Isaach De Bankole, and Nicolas Duvauchelle.
Fri., Jan. 14, 7 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 15, 5:30 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 16, 5 p.m.; Mon., Jan. 17, 6:30 p.m.; Tue., Jan. 18, 6:30 p.m.; Wed., Jan. 19, 8:30 p.m.; Thu., Jan. 20, 6:30 p.m., 2011

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