In the White City (1983) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Paul's self-imposed stillness in Lisbon unsettles his relationships and leaves him searching for a sense of belonging in the sea.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Deserter Finds a Room

Paul leaves his ship and takes a room in Lisbon, drawn to sleep, wandering, and doing nothing. At the hotel, Rosa pushes back against her employer's expectations about her appearance at work.

Key Events

• Paul Films Before Lisbon — Paul films a brief moment before arriving in Lisbon. Characters: Paul Location: Before arriving in Lisbon
• Paul Leaves His Ship — Paul leaves his ship behind and describes himself as a deserter. Characters: Paul Location: Lisbon
• A Room in Lisbon — Paul takes a room and settles into an aimless stay in the city. Characters: Paul Location: Hotel
• Rosa Resists Her Employer — Rosa objects to her employer's demand that she dress up for work. Characters: Rosa Location: Hotel bar

An Unsteady Romance

Paul and Rosa meet and begin a relationship as they share time and stories. Paul's admission that he loves two women at once reveals his uncertainty about the relationship and his future.

Key Events

• Paul Meets Rosa — Paul and Rosa meet, and he says he stayed in Lisbon partly because of her. Characters: Paul, Rosa Location: Hotel
• Their Attraction Grows — Their attraction develops into a relationship as they spend time together. Characters: Paul, Rosa Location: Lisbon
• Paul Admits His Confusion — Paul admits that he loves two women at once and is unsure what he wants. Characters: Paul, Rosa Location: Lisbon

The Drift into Poverty

Paul's days grow unstructured as he drinks, sleeps, and reflects on silence and time. After he is robbed, he struggles to find food and tries unsuccessfully to sell his watch.

Key Events

• They Share Their Histories — Paul talks about life at sea while Rosa tells him about her family and work. Characters: Paul, Rosa Location: Lisbon
• Paul Embraces Stillness — Paul drinks, sleeps at odd hours, and reflects on silence, time, and inaction. Characters: Paul Location: Lisbon
• Paul Is Robbed — Paul is robbed and loses his money, leaving him struggling to find food. Characters: Paul Location: Lisbon
• The Watch Sale Fails — Paul tries to sell his watch, but a woman refuses to sleep with him. Characters: Paul Location: Lisbon

Rosa's Unexplained Departure

A letter connects the captain's strange word to a salamander larva and its stillness. Rosa then disappears from work and goes to France, leaving Paul without knowing where she is.

Key Events

• The Salamander Larva — A letter explains the captain's strange word as a salamander larva, whose stillness Paul finds meaningful. Characters: Paul Location: Lisbon
• Rosa Leaves for France — Rosa disappears from work, and Paul learns she has gone to France without knowing where. Characters: Paul, Rosa Location: Lisbon

A Message Toward the Sea

Without money for a train, Paul sells small objects to José and obtains paper and a pen. In his final message, he says he will surface again and identifies the sea as his true homeland.

Key Events

• Paul Sells Small Objects — Unable to afford a train, Paul sells objects to José and asks for paper and a pen. Characters: Paul, José Location: Lisbon
• Paul Writes of the Sea — Paul writes that he will surface again and that the sea is his only true homeland. Characters: Paul Location: Lisbon

Story Breakdown

• Leaving the Ship — Paul abandons his life at sea and settles temporarily in Lisbon.
  • A Brief Film — Paul films a moment before reaching Lisbon.
  • A Hotel Room — He takes a room after leaving his ship behind.
• Rosa at Work — Rosa's hotel work and resistance to her employer's expectations introduce her daily circumstances.
  • Bar and Rooms — Rosa works in the bar and cleans rooms.
  • Demand for Dress — She rejects her employer's demand that she dress up.
• An Uncertain Romance — Paul and Rosa grow close, while Paul's divided feelings complicate their relationship.
  • A Lisbon Connection — Paul tells Rosa he stayed partly because of her.
  • Two Loves — Paul admits loving two women and not knowing what he wants.
• Days of Stillness — Paul and Rosa share stories as Paul increasingly retreats into inactivity.
  • Sea and Family — Paul talks about life at sea and Rosa shares about family and work.
  • Silence and Time — Paul drinks, sleeps at odd hours, and reflects on stillness.
• Money and Hardship — Paul's loss of money makes his unsettled life in Lisbon materially precarious.
  • Robbed in Lisbon — Paul loses his money in a robbery.
  • Watch Sale — His attempt to sell his watch ends with a woman refusing to sleep with him.
• Rosa Disappears — Rosa's departure leaves Paul unable to find her or know whether she will return.
  • The Larva Letter — A letter explains the captain's strange word as a salamander larva.
  • France Without an Address — Paul learns Rosa has gone to France but does not know where.
• The Final Message — Paul prepares a message while facing poverty and reflecting on his future.
  • José Buys Objects — Paul sells small objects to José and asks for writing materials.
  • The Sea as Home — Paul says he will surface again and calls the sea his only true homeland.

Directed by

Alain Tanner

Key Cast

• Bruno Ganz — Paul
• Teresa Madruga — Rosa
• Julia Vonderlinn — Élisa
• José Carvalho — José
• Victor Costa — Waiter