“Ma Mère, Dieu et Sylvie Vartan”: the film we can’t wait to see

On March 19, 2025, director Ken Scott will unveil Ma Mère, Dieu et Sylvie Vartan, an adaptation of Roland Perez’s autobiographical novel. This family drama, starring Leïla Bekhti and Jonathan Cohen, tenderly explores the strength of the maternal bond in the face of adversity.

A story of resilience and unconditional love

The plot is inspired by the destiny of Roland Perez, born in 1963 with a clubfoot, a handicap that confronted him with numerous challenges, both familial and societal. The film follows the journey of Roland, a child protected by his mother Esther, played by Leïla Bekhti. Determined to give him a happy life, Esther nurtures her son with hope and love in a family cocoon. Television becomes an escape for Roland, where he discovers the divine voice of Sylvie Vartan, a figure of inspiration and symbol of his quest for healing.

But over time, the story turns to the difficulty of cutting the cord. How do you find your own way when you’ve grown up in a protective bubble? This questioning of identity, magnified by the mother-son relationship, is at the heart of this work.

A top-flight cast

Leïla Bekhti and Jonathan Cohen, known for their on-screen complicity, brilliantly embody this deeply moving duo. The cast is completed by Milo Machado-Graner, the young revelation ofAnatomie d’une chute, Jeanne Balibar, Joséphine Japy as Roland’s wife, and Sylvie Vartan playing herself. This mix of established actors and new voices promises a rich, nuanced interpretation.

An artistic turn for Ken Scott

After a light-hearted exploration of fatherhood in Starbuck (2011), Ken Scott takes a more intimate, dramatic approach to the mother figure. The film traces several decades of trials and triumphs, blending themes such as maternal love, the struggle against prejudice and the quest for identity.

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