Year: 2016
Country:
FRANCE, BELGIUM
Language:
French
Run Time:
94 minutes
FANNY’S JOURNEY is a gem of a film, the rare World War II period piece that’s exciting and inspirational for children ten and up. Fanny is 12, Jewish, and living in Vichy, France in 1943. When her father is arrested, her mother takes Fanny and her young sisters to live at the neutral Children’s Aid Society. Head of the school is tough Madame Forman, who, like all adults, nervously monitors news on the radio. When Mussolini’s regime falls, Mme. Forman realizes the Germans will soon march into France. She comes up with a plan to send her charges across the border to neutral Switzerland. Obtaining false passports and coaching the children on their new, non-Jewish names and backstories, she sends them off by train. But when their guide disappears, Fanny takes responsibility for the little band of eight, leading them across the countryside on foot. A warm, life-or-death adventure about solidarity and independence, FANNY’S JOURNEY features natural performances by the children, particularly Léonie Souchaud as Fanny. Based on the autobiography of Fanny Ben Ami. (In French with subtitles) —B.B.
Sunday, April 02, 2017 at 6:10 PM
Monday, April 03, 2017 at 4:00 PM
Saturday, April 08, 2017 at 9:00 AM
Sidebars
FAMILY FILMS
JEWISH AND ISRAELI VISIONS
Genre
Recommended for Middle School Students +
Competition
Reel Women Direct Award for Excellence in Directing by a Woman
Director
Lola Doillon
Lola Doillon was born in 1975 in Charenton-le-Pont, France. She has been exposed to the film business since childhood through her father, director Jacques Doillon. She is a screenwriter, actor, and photographer, as well as a director.
Filmography
"Just About Love?" (2007), "In Your Hands" (2010), FANNY'S JOURNEY (2016)
Producers
Saga Blanchard, Marie de Lussigny
Screenwriting
Lola Doillon, Anne Peyrègne
Cinematography
Pierre Cottereau
Editing
Valérie Deseine
Principal Cast
Cécile De France, Fantine Harduin, Léonie Souchaud, Stéphane De Groodt
This film is presented with the generous support of BILL PLESEC and SUSAN STECHSCHULTE.
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