Maria Montessori (French: La Nouvelle Femme, lit. 'The New Woman') is a 2023 French–Italian historical drama film written and directed by Léa Todorov. The film stars Jasmine Trinca as Maria Montessori and Leïla Bekhti as a fictionalised woman who seeks her help. It is the director's second film.
Maria Montessori premiered in October 2023 at Zurich Film Festival and was distributed in France on 13 March 2024.
Contents
Plot
The courtesan Lili d'Alengy is at the height of her fame at the beginning of the 20th century. After the death of her mother, she has to take over the upbringing of her disabled daughter Tina herself. In order to protect her reputation and hide Tina, whom she has always passed off as her niece, the Parisian demimondaine flees to Rome, where the young doctor Maria Montessori and her partner Giuseppe Montesano run a "Pedagogical Institute" for disabled children. Montessori also developed a method to help children with learning difficulties. Lili would prefer to simply drop the girl off there; because there is only one place available for day care, she ultimately stays in Rome.
Maria and Giuseppe have a son of their own, little Mario. Because an illegitimate relationship would not be accepted by society, he has to be brought up by a wet nurse in the countryside. Even the conservative doctors are slow to change their minds, but Maria has to convince them of her approach in order to receive funding. Lili wants to continue to be perceived in Paris as a "Donna Nuova", a modern, emancipated woman. During her stay in Rome, she also looks for lovers. She is delighted when Tina starts to make progress. The contact with other children and the music are visibly good for the girl, a success of Montessori's methods. Lili realizes how important attention, patience and love are in raising children.