The Life Ahead

Madam Rosa, an elderly former prostitute and a survivor of the Holocaust, opens her home in the vibrant Italian port city of Bari, Apulia, to care for the children of other working women. Her life takes an unexpected turn when Momo, a 12-year-old orphaned Senegalese immigrant, robs her. After this incident, Dr. Coen, Babak Karimi, who serves as Momo’s foster guardian and also Rosa’s physician, intervenes by returning her stolen belongings and insisting that the boy apologize. In a twist of fate, Dr. Coen offers Rosa financial support to take Momo under her wing for a few months, to which she begrudgingly agrees.

Momo, having faced expulsion from school for an incident involving a classmate, is entangled in the drug trade, working for a dealer in the area. However, with Rosa’s guidance, he finds legitimate work thanks to Hamil, a compassionate Muslim shopkeeper. Throughout their struggles, the supportive adults in Rosa’s life, including her neighbor and friend Lola, a transgender prostitute who helps care for her daughter, rally around Momo and Rosa. As Rosa begins to grapple with her mental decline, fluctuating between periods of lucidity and catatonia, their connection deepens.

As Rosa’s primary ward, Momo decides to abandon his dangerous lifestyle and commits to caring for her. With her health deteriorating, Rosa makes Momo promise to keep her out of hospitals, haunted by her traumatic past during her time at Auschwitz. Momo, loyal to his word, does everything he can to protect her, even sneaking her out at night to hide in a basement storage room where she feels secure. The bond between them grows stronger as Momo nurtures Rosa until the end. Tragically, after a severe episode, she passes away, revealing their secret to Lola, who finally discovers the truth. The film poignantly concludes with Rosa’s funeral, a testament to the powerful connection forged between two lost souls.

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 15:41