The White Lotus shouldn’t have gone to France
Graphic by Easton Clark, Photography Editor
“The White Lotus” just announced season four will be set in France, and my first thought was, “Wasn’t it just in Europe?”
“The White Lotus” is the best show of the last five years, and its social commentary is top-tier. I always appreciate the blend of the issues the locals face and how out of touch the guests are in the grand scheme of things.
France wasn’t a terrible choice, and they have yet to announce where in the country they will be filming, but I think some other locations have the architecture, culture and views that could have made season four stand out.
Here are four possible locations (ranked in no particular order) of where I would have set season four of The White Lotus.
Brazil
Photo by Agustin Diaz Gargiulo
Season three received mixed reviews, but the commentary paired with the culture of Thailand and the beautiful cityscape made season three what it was. With its unique landscapes and vibrant culture, Brazil has the potential to create a similar atmosphere.
With the balance between excursions through the Amazon Rainforest and the nightlife in Rio de Janeiro, the drama would be inevitable. This would be another great location for those wildlife shots we saw in Thailand in season three, and with growing polarization within politics, there is a lot of commentary to be made.
“The White Lotus” famously pairs with The Four Seasons as a shooting location, but Brazil doesn’t have a hotel, so this probably wouldn’t have been a contender.
Switzerland
Photo by Victor He
I know I just said The White Lotus shouldn’t have gone back to Europe, but a ski season could shake things up from the typical coastal vibe that Mike White, the show’s creator, usually captures.
While each of the three seasons has had very distinct themes and looks, the shots of ocean waves crashing against rocks are becoming tired. Cinematic shots of the Swiss Alps, dark red blood contrasted on bright white snow… I can see it now. It would be iconic.
White has made it clear he isn’t a fan of the cold, and since the show takes six to seven months to shoot, the idea was dead in the water from the start.
Tanzania
Photo by Hu Chen
The amount of discourse I’ve seen online about “The White Lotus” needing a “safari season” made me consider what this would look like, and I kind of like it.
The Four Seasons Safari Lodge in the Serengeti is nothing short of magical, with breathtaking views of wildlife that can be seen from the infinity pool. This is another location that would foster a mood we just haven’t seen before.
The sweltering heat and humidity, safari trips through the Serengeti and the intensity of this setting could start conversations that viewers haven’t yet thought about.
Morocco
Photo by Macia Serrano
The architecture in Morocco is stunningly unique, and the Four Seasons in Marrakech is no exception. I can see many visits to all the beautiful locations throughout the city. One thing I appreciated about season two, which took place in Italy, was the exploration of the country.
Morocco could allow for many more of these moments, and the guests experiencing things outside of their five-star hotel could raise conversation about cultural and religious differences.
I would have loved to see how the cinematographers could have captured the historic architecture and put their own “White Lotus” spin on it.
While none of these choices are going to appear in season four, there is always a chance that future seasons could explore these iconic countries.
“The White Lotus” is so powerful because it comments on the socioeconomic, cultural and societal differences between the hotel guests and the locals of the location. I don’t want to jump to any conclusions, but on the surface, France just doesn’t seem like it would start these hard-hitting conversations.
I hope I’m wrong and all my skepticism fades away once I watch the next season. I want to trust Mike White and his vision, and I’m waiting to be blown away by the results of season four.