Stories about about families trying to protect their farm or home from insurmountable outside forces have been told quite a few times. Usually they involve money or maybe some corporation or rival family (if we're talking Westerns). But in Claire Denis' White Material, Isabelle Huppert must contend with post-colonialism and civil war turmoil in modern Africa to save her coffee plantation. And yeah, as this trailer suggests, things get a little more complicated.
The fact alone that Denis directed the film is cause for excitement. She's one of the most interesting and consistent working filmmakers and her previous film, 35 Shots of Rum, showed that she's still at the top of her game. While that film explored subtle family dynamics in France at a meditative pace, the drama in this one looks like it explodes off the screen with more than just telling glances and impromptu dance scenes. Denis grew up in Colonial Africa, and she's explored the area before in films like Chocolat, but never with the verve and energy present in this trailer. Also, Huppert looks determined and convincing (yet still beautiful) in the lead role.
Verdict: Sold! If you don't live in one of the opening cities, IFC will be beaming this one to cable boxes nationwide via their On Demand service.