In the White City 1983 A Swiss sailor jumps ship in Lisbon, tired of the noisy engine room, the ship a floating factory of crazy people He rents a room and does little He writes letters to his lover, describing the whiteness of the city, the solitude and the silence He sends his love and emptiness she replies with love and confusion He sends movies from his 8mm camera Then he becomes friendly with Rosa, a chambermaid, and soon its a love affair He continues to send letters and movies home His Swiss lover is hurt and angry she sends an ultimatum