Scanialara You won't be disappointed!

Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Twilightfa Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

Lachlan Coulson This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Bob Taylor The White Masai is a very handsome production that showcases excellent cinematography by Martin Langer and some fine performances by Nina Hoss and Katja Flint as two European women trying to cope with life in Kenya. Carola knows fairly early on that she has gotten into a situation that will call on all her emotional resources if she is to survive. Nina Hoss conveys her sudden attraction to Lemalian, followed by bruising experiences with female circumcision, a woman called bewitched who gives birth at the side of the road, a crooked "mini-chief" who craftily skims money off the receipts at her store, and other trials. She seeks help from Pater Bernardo the missionary, very skillfully played by Antonio Prester.The story is engrossing but it is true, as another commenter noted, that you're never in doubt about the next plot turn. This film should be seen by all those who enjoyed The African Queen and Out of Africa; it has the same romantic appeal as those classics.

Blue_Eyed_Macushla The White Masai (Swiss Title- Die Weisse Massai) Truly one of the best films I have seen in a long time. Based on the autobiography of Corinne Hofmann, a white Swedish woman who met, and coincidently fell in love, with a Masai tribe warrior, whilst on holiday in Africa, this film offers a beautiful insight into the diversity of African life.The film follows Carola's (Hofman's) life as a white European woman, immersed into a black African tribe. As an audience, we are able to depict the love that blossoms between Carola and Lemalian (a tribal warrior for the Masai), played by Jacky Ido, and the difficulties, fears and terrors that a contemporary Caucasian woman is forced to endure when exposed to such a diverse culture and way of life. The story follows her marriage, path of cultural understanding and the birth of her child.As the viewer we are introduced into the story through Carola's eyes, played by German actress, Nina Hoss, this allows the confusion that she undergoes to be translated to the audience. The sweeping cinematography used in The White Masai helps to develop the mood of the situations presented. At times of angst the audience is able to accurately develop an understanding for the circumstance. The film, also, allows an authentic insight into the lifestyle of an African tribe, one is able to distinguish and witness the diversities between western and traditional African tribal culture. Baring witness to such horrors as female circumcision, breach birth, hunting and malaria, Carola finds herself continually surprised by the life and rituals of the tribe. The contrast drawn between western society and the tribal communities is intense and is accurately portrayed through the film. Whilst I have not read Corinne Hofmann's autobiography, the high quality of acting and the constant reminder of the African landscape and society, leads one to assume that the portrayal is quite true to reality.Whilst we are exposed to the Masai lifestyle, the film fails to thoroughly communicate the difficulty and inner turmoil Carola is faced with when converting from white society to the Masai tribe, it instead, tends to romanticize the conversion. The film is also unsuccessful in realistically depicting the internal thoughts and emotions of Carola's character, when introduced to such a foreign lifestyle. This prevents the audience from truly entrapping themselves within the mind of the Carola and the situations she is faced with, thus forbidding us from experiencing the film to its full potential.The White Masai, is a deep and intriguing film, I strongly recommend it to anyone who is interested in sociology and diversity between cultures.

bak_europe Although I did not read the book, I saw the film tonight at the German cinema (with a mix of subtitles). Having been to SOuth Africa myself, I recognized the land and endless horizon (some was filmed in SA, as well as Kenya itself).The film leaves you with the feeling that you are not sure why this woman wanted to even stay in Kenya with this man, despite "hardships" of no showers, no electricity, no amenities as we know. It was her loves to this man from a totally different culture, a warrior, that made her decide to live in such a God-forsaken place, so far from her former reality. This Swiss woman, who had owned a shop in Switzerland, sold her store, and then after some time, thought she could best help her new husband's people by opening a shop herself and selling wares to the people in the surrounding areas. However, she really had no feeling for what her husband was going through, losing face for having his wife work, as well as being able to drive a car (which he thought was so easy to learn until he ran the jeep against the tree). One can at times sees that she is not very sensitive to the cultural issues regarding tribal life and position, and this makes this relationship quite tense. On the other hand, one can see that the African man makes quite a bit of effort to understand her and ease her way into his world, even though he is not so aware of her upbringing and needs.Perhaps reading the book would give more insight to their other trials and tribulations. However, I will have to say that I will now read the book, and I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. It makes one think if two people from diverse cultures ever have a chance of survival. On the other hand...........what is diversity.

k_abha Excellent movie; just received a standing ovation at its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Good old-fashioned story-telling with the drama of severe to the point of seemingly unsurmountable cultural conflict wrought out by strong acting from the relatively unknown leads. When Carola, a Swiss woman (as pale,willowy and Teutonic as they make them) vacationing with her boyfriend Stefan, is smitten at first sight with Lemalian, a Masai warrior, she decides to follow her heart. As a viewer, one feels part of the scene, drawn into Carola's frame of mind, experiencing her alternate euphoric connection with Lemalian and the strain of coming to terms with a culture, and indeed, even a man, who, despite their love, is unlike what she is accustomed to.(A warning for the squeamish: there are several scenes of traditional Masai customs that, while not brutal, will at least make you cringe and avert.) The film is based on an autobiographical book that was a huge bestseller in Europe. While I haven't read the book and cannot vouch for the film's accuracy, its realistic tone is never in doubt. There are no saccharine contrivances about the culture gap or simplistic portrayals or any other false notes.In fact between the taut performances, sweeping cinematography of the Kenyan countryside, keenly observed detail of daily life and the pitch-perfect score, The White Masai almost has an epic feel to it.