User reviews

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.

Having just finished reading The White Masai in paperback, I waited in anticipation of getting the DVD from the local library, albeit with some trepidations, knowing that film adaptations of books don't always follow true to the written work. That is certainly the case with this one. Firstly, why the change of names of the characters in the book - from Corinne to Carola, Lketinga to Lemalian, Napirai to Sarai, etc? Everyone who has read the book will know the characters anyway no matter what their names are. Also, there seem to be some vital points in the book that were not depicted in the movie. The novel extensively describes how Corinne's physical health was greatly affected from having to live in near-primitive conditions with nil in basic amenities like proper drinking water and sanitation, tropical diseases and inadequate diet. Doesn't it seem incongruous that in the movie this doesn't seem to be the case with Carola - she emerges from the hut cum loveshack each day fresh as a newly-budded rose, skin aglowing & hair shining like gold in the morning sun? She merely appears to be in a reality TV tour group rather than having assimilated herself into the tribe. It would certainly have helped to have a Westernized educated Samburu character to help bridge the (communication) gap between Carola and Lemalian, which in the book would have been James (Lketinga's brother). That said, the bottom line that both book and film raise is: can two people of contrastingly different cultures live together in harmony and genuine affection? How much is one prepared to sacrifice in the name of love? The film is aware of all these questions but does not give a definite answer - it all remains up to the viewer to put himself/herself in the heroine's shoes and ask "would I have done the same as Carola? Would I give up all the creature comforts of life that I've known and been accustomed to and live in woop-woop with a man I hardly know from a totally alien background?"

While the movie does portray non-whites in a more positive light than other movies with a similar theme, it continues the long history of inequivocal relations between whites and blacks in general and it concludes that the Africans have been and always will be culturally inferior to whites. Even though the film is sympathetic to the Samburu people and evidently shows how naive and clueless as far as cultural sensitivities go with Carola, it's telling her side of the story. It would be very interesting indeed if the movie would be (re)made from Lemalian's point of view, but alas that is just a pipe dream.

The concept is incedible, the movie execution is also good, the adaptation lacks but don't except much just enjoy this lovely adventure story.

The amazing thing is Based on true Story.

Warning : Spoiler !!

(Carola Hoss, a German woman living in Switzerland, is on holiday with her boyfriend in Kenya. She falls in love with Maasai warrior Lemalian, who is visiting dressed in the clothing of his area. At the airport on the way home she decides to stay. It turns out that Lemalian has gone to his home village in the Samburu District. Carola travels to the area, and stays at the house of another European woman. Lemalian hears about her stay and comes to meet her. Eventually they start living together.)

I really did not like the film because of how stupid and hypocritical was the main character, who herself decided to plunge into a "different cultural world," and then began to arise and demand that this "world" should change under her requirements. ... I really liked the film because it plausibly "puts here down" with the situations in which she finds herself, encountering certain realities of life that she decided to plunge into for the sake of her whim. ... Well, and the corresponding to the whole movie ending.

I was curious to see this film seeing the split type of reviews it got on IMDb. It has been showing at our small town cinema for full two weeks. And, yes, there were still quite a number of viewers - mostly women. I believe the problem is that people get worked up on the main character and get to dislike her strongly, then reflecting this on the film as a whole. Which of course is not fair, but maybe understandable. So if you want to see a marvelous, well made, well photographed and even well written film with an intriguing plot - this will be it. If you want to agree with all moves of the main characters and seek harmony, happiness and want to relax - just stay away. My boys, for instance, hated 'Gegen die Wand' for the lack of happy ending and the pain the main characters live through. So does this mean that we Germans have an affinity to 'difficult' plots? (including our German-Turkish compatriots in 'Wand') Maybe. What makes the film less understandable - but very much more realistic - is that it is based on a true story. So why complain? The Carola character has her flaws and gets stuck between wanting to Europeanise the Massai life and adapting to their customs. Which in itself would render enough material for several films. The Massai accept her but are also stuck with their traditions - what else would you expect. But this film is not about how this dilemma can be solved - it is about Carola and Lemalian - and if you come to think of it, two very brave characters, no matter how they behave in detail. They exist(ed)!!! And the film gives you an opportunity to partake in their torment. Just take this as ONE possible outcome and ponder on the potential and possibilities such a setting can offer. Enjoy.

The movie is based on the book "The white Masai", and on the true life of Corinne Hofmann, the author of the book.

She becomes attracted to a Masai man while on a trip to Kenya, and eventually moves in with him and marries him. This movie is about love, cultural differences and hard facts of life. It is very romantic but also heart stopping in the struggles for cultural understanding.

The movie does not strictly follow the story of the book, but makes a good job of squeezing the essentials into a 2 hour movie. The tensions, the hardships etc, are well caught much thanks to good acting performances.

I really miss a lot of information in the movie. E.g. how was her relation with other people in the village, especially with "Mama" in the same hut. Also there is often a lack of explaining what other people in the tribe thought of her actions. Some cultural differences are quite insufficiently covered, e.g. how her way to talk to other men contributed to the jealousy of her husband. Many of the hardships in the book are also left out in the movie.

What is truly great about the movie and the story, is that her failures are not hidden. Its not a movie about that the native life in Africa is "so hard" for a sane westerner to live. The sacrifices made from both sides are vast, from their cultural positions and values, but still they are not sufficient to bridge the gap in so many issues.

It is a really good movie. I recommend it to anyone. Ignore the other whining comments here. The movie does a good job, if not perfect, fitting the story into a 2 hour movie. The cultural differences are there to see and think about, even if some things were left out.

(2005) The White Masai (Although they're many languages spoken including English and natural African, much of this film is in German with English subtitles) DRAMA

Adapted from the novel by Corinne Hofmann, a movie based on fact centering on the adventures of a white Caucasian German woman from Sweden, Carola (Nina Hoss) succumbing to adapt and fall in love with an African Masai warrior, Lemalian (Jacky Ido) of the Samburu tribe. The love story can also serve as a backdrop about two cultures colliding, with the female protagonist adapting to the old methods of a particular African tribe that does not conform to change which is compelling, but of course can only last so long as the African man in question start to consist of the same jealous tendencies as any other man living in a city. There were some scenes I didn't care about but still compelling.

Corinne Hofmann's absorbing filmed autobiography is an extremely confronting film and, at least to this viewer, therefore became an uncomfortable couple of hours to watch. It's a tough story that lies before the viewer full of cultural confrontation, personal confrontation and the burial of some individual long-held believes and values. All of this drama is carried out with bare-knuckle subtlety in many cases and also with just as much beauty and softness in often back to back scenes. Anyone watching this wonderfully engaging film will be batted from one extreme to another-hence my use of the words "difficult" and "confronting".

It's a fabulous film to mentally play with after leaving the theater; there are so many aspects that must be filed away, in comfort-hopefully, after the total confrontation of values and ideas that will bombard anyone who watches The White Masai. I hope that i am not being nor will be branded as sexist when I write that I thought Lemalian, the Masai, had the harder row to hoe of the two of them-his traditions were continually being assaulted while Hofmann's, although similarly assaulted, were at least those of a visitor rather than as a resident of an extremely isolated and traditional society. Both paths were exceptionally hard and I left the theater feeling privileged that Huntgeburth made the film so that I could peek into events that would tax anybody.

Go out of your way to see this film because it is rare and insightful; you will not be disappointed.

This is a really well filmed movie. The acting ranges from average to very authentic. I wonder how they managed to film some of the settings and how much the Massai way of life was disturbed by the film crew's visits. In any case, on a technical level, it is well produced. The message is the problem of this film. Ostensibly, the film is a romance failed between western, civilized, white Swiss woman and eastern, uncivilized, black African man. They start off passionate, but soon come the inevitable cultural clashes. In every circumstance, the white woman reacts as a westerner would (and not surprising - how else should one be expected to act?). What IS surprising is that we see the Massai husband attempt in every circumstance to accept or even adopt the ways of his wife. He fails almost every time, but, man, did she find an understanding man to marry. He even goes so far as to cut off his precious warrior hair (a symbol of his manhood) so that she will be more pleased with him. The fact that he loses patience, lashes out, or accuses her of infidelity should come as natural, as his ignorant wife steps over his cultural taboos repeatedly. But he manages to stifle letting his anger out fully because he loves her. Even his tribe accepts this woman, who arrogantly assumes her ways upon them. Now I would have had no problem with these developments had the movie been completely neutral or sided with the Massai more (clearly the Massai were far more patient with her than she with them). But this film seems to side with the white woman and subtly justify her decision to leave country and take their daughter with her, leaving her husband disgraced and now childless. We are asked to sympathize with her, and while we should, we are not asked to sympathize with the Massai. What a wasted opportunity. The film gets 4 points for technical prowess, but none more because of the story!

The Swiss Carola Lehmann (Nina Hoss) has a crush on the Samburu warrior Lemalian Mamutelil (Jacky Ido) while traveling by ferry in the last day of her two week vacation in Kenya with her boyfriend Stefan (Janek Rieke). She talks to Lemalian and on the next morning, instead of returning to Biel, in Switzerland, Carola decides to leave Stefan and seek out Lemalian. She travels to Nairobi by bus; then to Maralal, where she befriends the Caucasian Elizabeth Muzungu (Katja Flint) married with a Kikuyu that explains some important details of the Samburu culture to her; when Lemalian meets her, they walk together to his isolated pastoralist tribe in Barsaloi. Carola is welcomed by his people and along the years, she sells her shop in Switzerland and marries Lemalian, having a daughter with him. She also runs a store in the location. However, their differences of cultures force Carola to take an ultimate attitude and return to her country.

"The Weisse Massai" is one of the most incredible romances I have ever seen. The reason is not racial, but how the bourgeois Carola could leave her middle-class lifestyle to live with Lemalian in the middle of nowhere in his tribe of shepherds. The acting is top-notch as well as the cinematography.

However it seems that there are inaccuracies between the title, the character Lemalian and the story between Maasai and Samburu people. Both are semi-nomadic indigenous that lives in Kenya and Maralal is located within the Samburu District, but they are people totally distinct from each other. Lemalian speaks English and the Maasai are also educated in this language, supporting the title of the movie. But Lemalian mentions in Nairobi when he goes with Carola to the Immigration Department that he is a Samburu "murran" (warrior) and he is illiterate, what is a contradiction. The screenplay writer did not do his homework; he should be more careful while writing about a true event and make a research. Unfortunately IMDb censorship did not accept my original review and I needed to rewrite removing the references to the Wikipedia that gave a better explanation to this contradiction. Despite this inconsistency, this movie is engaging and highly recommended. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "A Massai Branca" ("The White Massai")

As a (white) woman who was once involved with an African man, I'm always a bit skeptical of these "Jungle Fever"-like movies. I was very pleased to discover there isn't a huge emphasis on titillation. The director could've easily made it more salacious. Interracial couples are more than just their contrasting skin colours or fodder for the sexual fantasies of others.

I wasn't surprised by this woman's difficulties in the small, remote, Kenyan village. One could predict she'd face all those obstacles, and more.

I was surprised by how many of the reviews suggest her problems were her "fault" or that there is ANY "reason" for the husband's actions. No matter what the nationality of my various, past boyfriends and current husband, none of them would ever conduct themselves like that towards me (and live to tell about it) (wink), nor would they desire to do so. My African boyfriend was a model of civility and respect for women. Indeed, every man I've been involved with has been the embodiment of the term "integrity". Men who behave in insulting, unjust, much less violent, ways towards women (or anyone, really) aren't worthy of my consideration.

It's not that I don't "get" why the dynamics between the two lead characters causes some conflict within the framework of the society in which they live. It's just that, at some point, some things are just right or wrong. Making false accusations, especially against someone you profess to love, is unconscionable. There is no excuse for his behaviour. Comparing his outrageous behaviour to her naiveté is ludicrous! This man, like soooooooooooo many around the world (it seems), is so infantile and weak, he feels he must brutalize a woman to make himself feel better. ...Pathetic.

Still, I generally liked Lemalian (Jacky Ido), until he fell from grace. I was surprised by Carola's decision not to adopt more of the local customs, as well as her ultimate decision, at which point the movie ends. I could still see ways the two could work beyond their cultural differences, especially since both had so generously tried to understand the other's point of view.

In all honesty, I found the couple's attire differences to be jarring, especially in more urban settings. I fully expected one or the other to start dressing more alike. With the very traditional Masai garb juxtaposed against modern women's clothing, I surprised myself with how much I noticed this contrast, throughout the film.

In all, I enjoyed this movie most because it is alleged to be a true story. I think it wouldn't be either as believable or engaging, if it were fictitious. I would recommend it as a video rental for an easy-going Sunday afternoon.

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.

Based on the novel by Corrine Hofmann, this is the incredible true story of a woman from Switzerland who pursues and eventually marries a Masai warrior in Kenya.

The story itself is riveting, made more impressive and captivating as it is based in fact.

The film contains three languages - German, English, and Maa. But even with this mix of language, the subtitles (which were unfortunately quite poorly done) weren't even a real necessity as so much of the story is so clearly communicated without the need for language.

German director Hermine Huntgeburth expertly captured the beauty and culture of this part of the world.

This by far wasn't the 'biggest' gala presentation at this year's Toronto International Film Festival, but it left the fortunate audience captivated by the story and the visual beauty.

Definitely worth checking out.

First of all, the performance and overall its a good movie, with some decent acting but there are some weird stupid acting too. and the movie is bit long boring scenes. i wasnt expecting that ending too.

The plot is not that unique or new, there were similar movies like that. i remembered (forgot the name of movie) , that jewish husband n wife flee to africa to save them self after ww2 starts and there wife hates it but eventually starts loving it. then there is another similar movie where another woman visit africa and impressed the tribe culture and tried to stay there.

The main and major STUPID thing in the movie is in the start, that there is NO LOGIC or sense that woman fall in love with another tribal man soo fast. there is no chemistry or connection between them. yet she still leave bf for him ? , even the first sex was very weird between them , until she teaches him to be gentle.

i wasnt expecting that ending, i thought there would be a VIOLENT end or something else. but she suddenly decides to BAIL.. thats kinda weird.

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.

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.