Once Upon My Mother

OPENING NIGHT Ma Mère, Dieu et Sylvie Vartan

Drama

Sponsored By
Toronto premiere
June 5
8:00pm
In Person
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
COUNTRIES
France
Canada
Year
2025
Running Time
102 minutes
Language
French
Subtitles
English
Director
Ken Scott

Demonstrating that there is no love greater than that between a mother and her child, director Ken Scott (Starbuck) delivers a big-hearted, colourful and witty film based on a true story that is destined to be a crowd favourite. Leila Bekhti (Paris, je t’aime) dazzles as Esther, a larger-than-life Moroccan-Jewish mother who won’t take no for an answer when it comes to her child’s welfare. When her youngest son, Roland, is born with a club foot in 1963, Esther is told that he will never walk. Defying the odds, Esther devotes the next forty years to ensuring that Roland not only walks but also becomes wildly successful. Featuring a rich soundtrack of French classics by music icon Sylvie Vartan, this loving tribute to one mother who is by turn both endearing and infuriating will resonate with mothers and children everywhere.Presented in memory of our beloved past TJFF Team Members Ginger Mittleman (z”l) and Roz Davidson (z”l).

Guest

Roland Perez, Writer & Film Subject

Reviews

“Ken Scott delivers a film that not only ‘feels good’, but it also very well made.” – Le Devoir

“A warm and moving feel-good movie.” – Le Figaro

“The film brings laughter to tears and touches the heart.” – Le Journal du dimanche

Co Presenters

© 2025 Toronto Jewish Film Festival. All Rights Reserved. A [HumanElement] Idea

OPENING NIGHT Ma Mère, Dieu et Sylvie Vartan

Running Time: 102