The Snows of Kilimanjaro
A union pensioner and his wife are robbed, but find that merely getting the assailants brought to justice is not enough for their consciences.
The film earned $4.9M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Snows of Kilimanjaro (2011) demonstrates strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Robert Guédiguian's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Michel and Marie-Claire celebrate with friends and family at a joyful gathering, establishing their world of working-class solidarity, community, and shared ideals in Marseille.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The shipyard announces layoffs. Michel must decide who will be let go, disrupting the harmony of the community and forcing impossible choices between colleagues.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Michel volunteers to take early retirement to protect younger workers. His colleagues present him and Marie-Claire with pooled money for a dream cruise to see the snows of Kilimanjaro—a new world of possibility and reward for sacrifice., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Armed robbers break into their home and steal the money for the Kilimanjaro trip. The dream is shattered, and Michel and Marie-Claire are violated in their own home. False defeat: their sacrifice seems to have been for nothing., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Michel learns the full extent of Raoul and Christophe's suffering and desperation. The death of his idealism: solidarity didn't save everyone. Some fell through the cracks, and his own sacrifice inadvertently contributed to their despair., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Michel realizes that true solidarity means extending compassion even to those who have wronged him. He synthesizes his ideals with human complexity, choosing to help rather than punish., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Snows of Kilimanjaro's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Snows of Kilimanjaro against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Guédiguian utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Snows of Kilimanjaro within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Michel and Marie-Claire celebrate with friends and family at a joyful gathering, establishing their world of working-class solidarity, community, and shared ideals in Marseille.
Theme
Discussion about solidarity and collective responsibility among workers facing layoffs. Someone states that those with seniority should protect the younger generation, foreshadowing Michel's moral dilemma.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Michel's life as a union representative at the shipyard, his loving marriage to Marie-Claire, their commitment to leftist ideals, and the close-knit community of workers facing economic hardship.
Disruption
The shipyard announces layoffs. Michel must decide who will be let go, disrupting the harmony of the community and forcing impossible choices between colleagues.
Resistance
Michel debates with colleagues and Marie-Claire about the layoff decision. He struggles with the moral weight of choosing who loses their livelihood, ultimately deciding to volunteer himself to save younger workers' jobs.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Michel volunteers to take early retirement to protect younger workers. His colleagues present him and Marie-Claire with pooled money for a dream cruise to see the snows of Kilimanjaro—a new world of possibility and reward for sacrifice.
Mirror World
Michel and Marie-Claire plan their dream trip together, embodying the rewards of solidarity and sacrifice. This relationship deepens the theme of whether idealism can sustain them in a harsh economic reality.
Premise
Michel and Marie-Claire enjoy their retirement, prepare for the cruise, and bask in the promise of their ideals being rewarded. The premise: can working-class solidarity triumph over economic hardship?
Midpoint
Armed robbers break into their home and steal the money for the Kilimanjaro trip. The dream is shattered, and Michel and Marie-Claire are violated in their own home. False defeat: their sacrifice seems to have been for nothing.
Opposition
Michel recognizes one of the robbers as Christophe, the son of Raoul, a former colleague who was also laid off and fell into poverty. Michel faces mounting pressure: report the crime or protect the son of a fallen comrade. The opposition is internal moral conflict.
Collapse
Michel learns the full extent of Raoul and Christophe's suffering and desperation. The death of his idealism: solidarity didn't save everyone. Some fell through the cracks, and his own sacrifice inadvertently contributed to their despair.
Crisis
Michel and Marie-Claire wrestle with their dark night: turn in Christophe or extend compassion? Their ideals are tested to the breaking point. They must reconcile their beliefs with the messy reality of who deserves help.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Michel realizes that true solidarity means extending compassion even to those who have wronged him. He synthesizes his ideals with human complexity, choosing to help rather than punish.
Synthesis
Michel and Marie-Claire reach out to help Christophe and Raoul, offering forgiveness and support. They work to rebuild the broken bonds of community, executing a moral resolution rather than seeking revenge.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening gathering, but Michel and Marie-Claire are transformed. They've lost the cruise but gained a deeper understanding of solidarity—not as abstract ideal, but as messy, difficult, necessary human compassion.