White Material 2010
Directed by
Claire Denis
Made by
IFC Films
Plot Summary
Maria Vial is a determined white French farmer who, alongside her ex-husband Andre and his ailing father Henri, is struggling to keep their coffee plantation afloat in an unnamed African nation amidst the turmoil of a modern-day civil war. The environment turns perilous as rebel forces, including child soldiers, draw closer to their land.
Despite a final plea from the French military urging her to evacuate for her safety, Maria clings fiercely to her roots, unwilling to abandon her family’s legacy. As chaos looms, a rebel DJ broadcasts incendiary messages, inciting the rebels against symbols of colonialism. In the face of escalating fear, Maria’s workers flee one by one, but her resolve remains unshaken. She refuses to leave the forthcoming harvest, which is only five days away, even as she embarks on a treacherous journey to find workers to help with the coffee crop.
The journey begins with her risking her life to navigate through armed bandits at roadblocks, ultimately hiring laborers in a nearby village. On her way, she collects her upbeat and mixed-race son, Jose, from school, whose mother is the housekeeper for Andre’s father.
Meanwhile, Andre attempts to negotiate with the local mayor, Cherif, who seizes the opportunity to persuade Andre to sign over the plantation to eliminate his debts. Back on the plantation, Maria searches for her lethargic son, Manuel, finding him dazed in bed and lamenting his lack of direction. After coaxing him to swim, Manuel becomes intrigued by a disturbance in the house and encounters two armed young rebels. They threaten him before fleeing, leaving him bewildered and traumatized.
As tension mounts, Andre continues to plead with Maria to flee the impending danger, but her focus remains on the harvest. In a twist of fate, Maria discovers a wounded rebel known as “The Boxer” hiding in a barn, whom she chooses to care for. That night, as she dreams of a moment shared with Cherif, the reality of her situation jolts her awake—there are reports of the Boxer being pursued as an enemy.
The plight escalates when the workers demand immediate payment but find the safe empty, likely raided by Andre. Under duress, Maria agrees to drive the workers back but is halted by a gang of young rebels adorned with her clothing. A protest leads to violence as one worker is shot and the truck is stolen. Maria learns of the rebels looting the local pharmacy and of a doctor being killed in the chaos.
In a shocking turn of events, Manuel betrays his family by guiding the rebels back to their home, leading to a night of debauchery among the young looters, who consume stolen supplies. As government troops reclaim control, a harrowing scene unfolds—innocent lives are tragically taken while Manuel is locked away and ultimately perishes in the flames.
Distraught in the wake of tragedy, Maria confronts her husband’s father and ultimately kills him in a moment of rage and despair. The narrative culminates with a lone rebel, clutching the Boxer’s beret, venturing into the wilderness, an emblem of the rebellion’s relentless spirit amidst the suffering wrought by war.
Timeline
Maria's Determination
Maria Vial, a white French farmer, is fiercely devoted to her family's coffee plantation in an unnamed African nation. Despite the chaos of an ongoing civil war surrounding her, she refuses to abandon her legacy and is determined to keep the plantation afloat.
Civil War Threatens
Rebel forces, including armed child soldiers, draw closer to Maria's land as the civil war intensifies. The atmosphere on the plantation becomes increasingly perilous, with constant fear of an imminent attack.
Evacuation Order
The French military issues a final warning to Maria, urging her to evacuate for her safety. Defiant, Maria expresses her unwillingness to leave, resolutely clinging to her roots and the hope of a good harvest.
Rebel DJ Incites Chaos
A rebel DJ begins broadcasting messages that incite the local rebels against symbols of colonialism. This further escalates tensions in the area, threatening the safety of Maria and her plantation.
Workers Begin to Flee
As fear grips the plantation, Maria’s workers begin to abandon their posts one after another. Despite the mass exodus, Maria's determination to stay and harvest the coffee continues to drive her actions.
A Dangerous Journey
Maria embarks on a treacherous journey to find workers who can help with the upcoming coffee crop. She navigates through roadblocks filled with armed bandits, risking her life in the process.
Collecting Jose
During her journey, Maria stops by a school to collect her son, Jose, whose mother works as a housekeeper for Andre's father. This moment showcases her determination to protect her family amid the turmoil.
Andre's Negotiation Attempts
Meanwhile, Andre is negotiating with the local mayor, Cherif, who pressures him to sign over the plantation to settle his debts. This adds another level of stress to Maria's already strained situation.
Manuel's Trauma
Back on the plantation, Maria finds her son, Manuel, dazed in bed. After encouraging him to swim, he encounters armed rebels, leaving him traumatized and confused about his reality amidst the chaos.
Caring for 'The Boxer'
In a twist of fate, Maria discovers a wounded rebel, known as 'The Boxer,' hiding in her barn. She decides to care for him, believing in humanity's potential for healing even amidst the brutality of war.
Violence Erupts
After the workers demand payment, Maria discovers the safe is empty, likely raided by Andre. Tensions escalate as a protest leads to violence, culminating in one of her workers being shot.
Manuel's Betrayal
In a shocking turn of events, Manuel betrays his family by guiding the rebels back to their home. This betrayal leads to chaos as the rebels indulge in stolen supplies, marking a tragic turn in the family's fate.
Tragedy Strikes
As government troops reclaim control, innocent lives are lost including that of Manuel, who tragically perishes in a fire. This heartbreaking moment underscores the devastating impact of war on families.
Confrontation and Rage
In a moment filled with despair and anger, Maria confronts her husband's father, leading to a tragic confrontation in which she kills him. This act is a cathartic release of her pent-up grief and rage over the losses she has endured.
Remnants of War
The film concludes with a lone rebel, holding the Boxer’s beret, venturing into the wilderness. This symbolizes the relentless spirit of rebellion amidst the destruction and suffering endemic to the war.
Characters
Maria Vial
Maria is a fiercely determined French farmer dedicated to her family's coffee plantation. Despite the dangers of civil war surrounding her, she remains resolute in her commitment to maintaining her family's legacy. Her character embodies both strength and vulnerability as she navigates the complexities of loss and resistance against overwhelming odds.
Andre
Andre, Maria's ex-husband, struggles with the realities of their crumbling plantation and his mounting debts. He represents the tension between familial duty and self-preservation, often pleading with Maria to evacuate. His character reflects the complications of personal relationships in times of crisis and the challenges of navigating responsibilities amidst chaos.
Manuel
Manuel is Maria's son, caught between childhood innocence and the harsh realities of war. His journey reflects a loss of direction and purpose, compounded by trauma from his experiences with the rebels. The character grapples with external pressures and ultimately makes a tragic choice that alters the course of his family's fate.
Setting
Time period
Modern-day
Set in modern-day, the film reflects the complexities of contemporary African society undergoing civil war. This period is marked by political instability, social unrest, and the continuing impact of historical colonialism. Issues such as child soldiers and local governance are poignant reminders of the challenges faced in such tumultuous times.
Location
Unnamed African nation
The movie takes place in an unnamed African nation characterized by its vibrant landscapes and rich agricultural heritage. This location serves as a backdrop for the unfolding civil unrest, highlighting the struggles of those connected to the land. The coffee plantation becomes a symbol of both the personal stakes involved and the broader implications of colonial legacies.
Themes
⚔️
Conflict
The film explores the theme of conflict, both on a personal and societal level. Maria's determination to preserve her family's coffee plantation reflects a larger struggle against the forces of war and colonialism. As tensions rise, the pervasive fear and chaos symbolized by the rebels underscore the profound impact of civil strife on everyday life.
💔
Despair
Despair permeates the narrative as characters face the daunting realities of loss and betrayal. Maria's refusal to abandon her land even in the face of danger highlights both her tenacity and the deep emotional ties to her legacy. The tragic fate of her son Manuel serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of violence and conflict.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.