Events

Director: Ken Scott
Run Time: 102 minutes
Language: French with English subtitles 

A triumphant celebration of unconditional love, Once Upon My Mother is a joyful, heartwarming family saga that radiates faith, devotion, and the transformative power of maternal love.

Inspired by Roland Perez's beloved bestselling autobiography, this irresistible cinematic gem transports us to France, 1963. When Esther Perez (radiantly portrayed by Leïla Bekhti, Paris, je t'aime)—a spirited Moroccan-Jewish immigrant raising six children in the Parisian suburbs—learns her newborn son Roland has been born with a clubfoot, she refuses to accept the doctors' grim prognosis. With fierce determination, boundless love, and an unshakeable belief in miracles, she embarks on a decades-long crusade to ensure her son doesn't just walk—he soars.

Leïla Bekhti delivers a luminous, powerhouse performance, bringing to life a larger-than-life mother whose love knows absolutely no limits. Vibrantly shot by Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Guillaume Schiffman (The Artist), the film bursts with color, energy, and the nostalgic sounds of French pop classics—including iconic songs by Jewish music legend Sylvie Vartan, who makes a delightful cameo appearance.

This big-hearted, exuberant crowd-pleaser swept the French box office with millions of admissions, and it's easy to see why. Blending laugh-out-loud humor with deeply moving moments, Once Upon My Mother is a universal celebration to the extraordinary lengths parents will go for their children.

Lights, Camera, Conversation

Join us after the credits roll for Lights, Camera, Conversation – a welcoming space for movie-lovers to reflect, share perspectives and dive deeper into the themes, characters and emotions sparked by the film. Whether you're a casual viewer or a cinema enthusiast, this is your chance to connect, process, and keep the story going.

Films will be screened at:
The CranfordTheater
25 N Ave W, Cranford, NJ

Individual Film Ticket
Price: $18, Member Price: $15.30

Purchase Tix   become a patron of the arts

This program was made possible by a grant from the Malvin and Greta Roesch Film Festival Endowment Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ.