Isabelle Huppert and Claire Denis in Africa and Uruguay Run Out of Steam

I took in the new film by Claire Denis White Material in which Isabelle Huppert plays a coffee farmer in an African state rife with racial tensions and civil war. All the characters are trying to preserve their lives and Huppert her farm. Denis has a very strong track record having made Beau Travail also set in Africa but about the French Foreign Legion.

Denis work is subtle and can take a bit of time to get going but the wait is worth it. Christopher Lambert, formerly Tarzan and the Highlander, is on excellent form as Hupperts ex husband and Huppert herself presents a striking portrait of a woman who is so wedded to the farm that she will risk hers and others lives to get the crop in.

World Cup 2010 got to the semis stage last night with the Dutch edging out Uruguay 3 - 2 in a griping match complete with 3 contenders for goal of the season! The South Americans  gave a very good account of themselves but lacking Sanchez in particular they just ran out of puff.   

ITV showed some footage from their encounter in  1974 where the Uruguay team kicked the Dutch across the park. Bookings were not as easily dispensed then .This side were far cleaner and indeed the Dutch were the serial foulers.  Tonight - Germany  take on Spain. We'll see...