EFF: Once Upon My Mother

Ma mère, Dieu et Sylvie Vartan

World Premiere

Told across decades capturing the trials and miracles of life, Once Upon My Mother is the true, funny and moving story of the greatest love there is: that of a mother for her child. Featuring a rich soundtrack of classic songs from French music icon Sylvie Vartan, this vibrant tribute to enduring motherly love is a crowd-pleasing treat.

In 1963, Esther gives birth to Roland, the youngest of a large family. Roland is born with a club foot that prevents him from standing. Against everyone's advice, she promises her son that he will walk like everyone else and live a full and fabulous life – and she will do everything in her power to keep this promise and help him fulfil this incredible destiny.

Ken Scott has created a colourful, moving and delightful film starring Leïla Bekhti (Paris, je t'aime) as a woman who won’t take no for an answer, and her portrait of maternal love and blind faith is complicated, maddening, destructive and endearing in equal measures.

Rating

Unclassified 15+

Duration

98 min

Country

France

Language

French (English Subtitles)

Cast

Leïla Bekhti, Jonathan Cohen, Joséphine Japy, Sylvie Vartan, Jeanne Balibar

Director

Ken Scott