Marie's Children (2002)
A quiet act of courage during the darkest chapter of French history — one young woman, one hidden child, one impossible choice.
Marie's Children - Movie Information
- Original Title: Marie Marmaille
- Release Year: 2002
- Directed by: Jean-Louis Bertuccelli
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, TV Movie, War
- Runtime: 1h 31m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 18, 2002 (France), January 14, 2005 (Brazil), January 14, 2005 (Mexico)
- Production Companies: France 2, Stéphan Films, CNC, Sofilm
- Production Countries: France
Marie's Children - Plot
During the German occupation of France, a young woman - Marie - finds a Jewish boy in her room. His parents and other Jewish neighbors have been just been deported, but Maurice (the boy) escaped. Marie decides to hide him, secretly.
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Marie's Children - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jean-Louis Bertuccelli
Main Cast
- Ludivine Sagnier
- Jérémy Sitbon
- Christian Charmetant
- Benoît Giros
- Dominique Monegger
- Christian Sinniger
- Michèle Brousse
- Valérie Moreau
- Farah Ghoul
- Alice Chetail
Writers
- Gérard Mordillat
- Claude Gutman
- Sabine Ullmann
- Jacques Fansten
Producers
- Véra Belmont
Marie's Children - FAQs
Is Marie's Children based on a true story?
Marie's Children is not based on a single documented true story, but it draws on the very real historical context of the German occupation of France during World War II, when ordinary French citizens risked their lives to hide Jewish neighbors from Nazi deportations. The story reflects countless acts of quiet courage from that era.
Who are the main actors in Marie's Children?
Ludivine Sagnier leads the cast as Marie, the young woman at the heart of the story. Jérémy Sitbon plays Maurice, the Jewish boy she shelters. The supporting cast includes Christian Charmetant, Benoît Giros, Dominique Monegger, Christian Sinniger, Michèle Brousse, Valérie Moreau, Farah Ghoul, and Alice Chetail.
What is Marie's Children about?
Set during the Nazi occupation of France, the film follows Marie, a young French woman who discovers a Jewish boy named Maurice hiding in her room after his family and neighbors have been deported. She chooses to protect him in secret, putting herself and those around her at great personal risk.
What does Marie risk by hiding Maurice?
By sheltering Maurice, Marie faces the very real threat of arrest, deportation, or execution at the hands of the German occupiers and French collaborators. The film explores how her decision ripples outward, placing her family and community under constant danger — a moral weight that defines the entire story.
When was Marie's Children released?
Marie's Children premiered in France on February 18, 2002. It later reached audiences in Brazil and Mexico on January 14, 2005. The film was produced for French television and aired on France 2.
Who directed Marie's Children?
Marie's Children was directed by Jean-Louis Bertuccelli, a French filmmaker known for his sensitive, character-driven work. The film was written by Gérard Mordillat, Claude Gutman, Sabine Ullmann, and Jacques Fansten, and produced by Véra Belmont.
What are similar films to Marie's Children?
If Marie's Children resonated with you, you might also enjoy A Love to Hide (2005), Waiting for Anya (2020), Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog (2020), The Forgotten Battle (2021), and Inglourious Basterds (2009). These films all explore themes of resistance, survival, and moral courage during World War II.
How long is Marie's Children?
Marie's Children runs for 91 minutes — just over an hour and a half. It's a compact, emotionally focused drama that makes the most of its runtime to tell an intimate story of courage and compassion set against the backdrop of the German occupation of France.
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