PLOT : In 1900, Lili d’Alengy, a celebrated Parisian courtesan at the peak of her fame, is hiding a secret —her daughter, Tina, was born with a learning disability. Fearing the scandal would ruin her reputation, Lili flees to Rome when her daughter’s condition threatens to become exposed.
There, she meets Maria Montessori, an innovative doctor pioneering a revolutionary teaching method for children who were then called “deficient.” Maria’s groundbreaking method offers a glimmer of hope for Tina. But Maria, too, carries a secret of her own: her child was born out of wedlock. Together, the two women will help each other earn their place in a patriarchal world of men, overcome societal challenges, and make history.
Léa Todorov. 
, in Paris, France, is a versatile director, writer, and actress. She has made a
significant impact in the film industry with both short and feature films. Some of Todorov’s
notable works include Saving Humanity During Office Hours (2012), a short film she wrote and
directed, and her role in Memoir of War (2017). Her most recent film, Maria Montessori (2023),
explores the life of the iconic educator Maria Montessori. The film follows the transformative
experiences of a Parisian courtesan who seeks Montessori’s help for her daughter with a
learning disability. Todorov’s films are known for their historical depth and emotional
storytelling.
Length 1h 40min
Year 2023
Cast
Jasmine Trinca, Leïla Bekhti, Rafaëlle Sonneville-Caby, Raffaele Esposito,
Distribution TVA Films
Production Geko Films, Tempesta
-
Wed.July 2nd08:15 PMOutdoorBirra Moretti Theatre, Distillery DistrictToronto
