Madame Rosa (1977)

In the pulsing heart of Pigalle, nestled within a six-floor walkup, resides Madame Rosa, an aged Jewish ex-prostitute, carrying on her shoulders a haunting reminder of Auschwitz. Now, she's a foster mother, providing refuge to the offspring of her former colleagues. The apple of her eye is Momo, an Algerian youth, whom she nurtures with a Muslim upbringing. As he probes about his lineage, she retorts with cryptic half-truths. As Madame Rosa's age advances, her brood dwindles, burdening Momo with added responsibilities. Strapped for cash, he takes to the streets, orchestrating puppet shows for loose change, an embodiment of innocence in a world hardened by life. Madame Rosa, hoping to shield him from her past, extracts a solemn promise - he will never sell himself or descend into pimping. Into Momo's life enters Nadine, a film editor with a gentle heart, and his estranged father, further stirring the pot of his complex existence. Meanwhile, Madame Rosa, terrified of hospitals, teeters on the precipice of her life. In these testing times, Momo must rise to the occasion, making decisions that will shape his life forever. The film "Madame Rosa" is a poignant exploration of survival, sacrifice, and the enduring bonds of unconventional family ties.

Madame Rosa is a drama movie featuring Gabriel Jabbour and directed by Moshé Mizrahi.

Madame Rosa is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Madame Rosa on Kino Now.