"Life ahead" with Sofia Loren

Followed by a debate on the film

Curated by Elena Tassi

DIVE met to watch together the film " Life ahead of itself " " The life ahead ", based on the novel by Romain Gary, directed by Edoardo Ponti, which marks the return to the scene at the age of 85, and after more than 10 years of absence from film sets, the great Sophia Loren.

The film is the second transposition of the novel (published in 1975) by the French writer Romain Gary.

The book:

The book by author Romain Gary tells the story of a Jewish woman, a concentration camp survivor and a former prostitute who takes care of neglected children, often the children of prostitutes, including an 11-year-old Algerian child, who immediately shows herself to be rebellious. to the rules, but which then gradually creates a strong bond with Rosa. The story takes place in Paris, in the popular district of Belleville.

The book deals with difficult topics such as denied motherhood, marginalization, prejudice, historical / political conflict, racism and euthanasia.

The first film of 1977:

The first film version, in 1977 was entitled "Madame Rosa" and had the great Simone Signoret as the protagonist. The film received an Oscar for best foreign film.

The story of the relationship between the Jewish / French Rosa and the Algerian Momo takes place in a complex context, and there is no lack of insights and analysis of the problems of the France / Algeria and Israel / Palestine relations.

The 2020 film that we will see:

In the version that we will see on Netflix the story appears rather simplified, the action is moved from Paris to Bari in the old city. The narrative is shifted to the level of clandestine immigration in modern-day Italy.

We can't wait to find out what new shades Sofia Loren will be able to give to the complex figure of Rosa's character.