JIFF: Once Upon My Mother

Ma mère, Dieu et Sylvie Vartan

“One of the most beautiful films of the new year, between laughter and tears!” – Sortir à Paris

“A true tribute to courageous and determined mothers.” – Ecostylia Magazine

Australian Premiere*

Based on the bestselling autobiography by Roland Perez, this exuberant and heartrending film pays tribute to a love like no other – a mother’s love for her child.

In 1963, Roland is born to Esther, her sixth child in their close-knit Jewish immigrant family living in the Parisian suburbs. When Esther learns that Roland has been born with a club foot, she vows to ensure her son lives not just a normal life, but a fabulous one. She enlists the help of a determined specialist and the pop songs of Sylvie Vartan (who makes a cameo in the film) to help Roland defy all expectations and learn to walk.

This joyful crowd-pleaser is vibrantly shot by Oscar-nominated cinematographer Guillaume Schiffman (The Artist) and features a powerhouse performance from Leïla Bekhti (Paris, je t’aime) as the fiercely devoted Esther. The film absolutely smashed the French box office, counting over 1.5 million admissions.

*Excluding Melbourne & Sydney

Rating

Unclassified 15+

Duration

102 min

Country

France

Language

French (English subtitles)

Cast

Leïla Bekhti, Jonathan Cohen

Director

Ken Scott