FANNY’S JOURNEY

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.