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Maria Montessori
La Nouvelle Femme
2023 100 min France, Italy 18+
★7.1
Drama, History
Director: Léa Todorov
Trailers
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Description
Set in 1900, Lili d’Alengy, a Parisian cocotte at the height of her fame, flees Paris to hide her “idiot” daughter. There she meets Maria Montessori, who is pioneering a teaching method that may help the child.
Budget:
$3.6M
Starring
Leïla Bekhti
Actor
Jasmine Trinca
Actor
Rafaëlle Sonneville-Caby
Actor
Awards
3 nominations total
Key opinion
La Nouvelle Femme is a biographical drama that earns praise for its ethical commitment to representing neurodivergent children with authenticity and dignity. While some critics find value in its educational portrayal of the Montessori method, others dismiss the film as a failed directorial debut.
| Acting | The film succeeds in treating neurodivergent children with respect by casting actual neurodivergent actors instead of resorting to voyeuristic cinematic techniques. | |
| Theme | The narrative provides a clear, practical illustration of Montessori's principles, including autonomy, sensory learning, and the importance of rhythm in education. | |
| Direction | The directorial vision is highly polarized; some find it ethically resonant and intellectually honest, while others consider the debut effort a complete failure. |