By Jeffrey Catalano
Assistant Editor
On Tuesday, February 24, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., the “Jewish and Israeli Film Festival” will be screening, in partnership with Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati – Guardians and Friends, the penultimate film in its line-up, “Once Upon My Mother,” at the Kenwood Theatre.
The 2025 French-language film is 102 minutes long and directed by Ken Scott, whose previous credits include “Goodbye Happiness” and “Unfinished Business.” Scott also served as the writer for the film, adapting a novel by Roland Perez for the screen.
“Once Upon My Mother” tells the story of story of a woman named Esther, who gave birth to a boy named Roland in 1963. Roland was the youngest child of a large family, and he was born with a clubfoot that prevented from standing. Despite his congenital deformity, Roland’s mother promised him that he would be able to walk one day like everybody else.
From the moment she told her son that he’d be able to walk like everyone else, she devoted herself to making sure her promise came true. “Once Upon My Mother” is a story that spans decades, and it is filled with its fair share of hardships and miracles.
“Once Upon My Mother” will also be screened virtually, and there will be a 48-hour viewing window for it between Tuesday, February 24 and Thursday, February 26. There is a fee for admission to both screenings, in-person and virtual, and tickets are sold separately.
