MIDWIVES/SAGES-FEMMES (France,2023, 99′)

Wednesday, October 2, 2:30 pm, Cinema Massimo, Screen 3

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Director: Léa Fehner
Screenplay: Léa Fehner, Catherine Paillé
Photography: Jacques Girault
Editing: Julien Chigot
Music: José Fehner
Cast: Khadija Kouyaté, Héloïse Janjaud, Myriem Akheddiou, Quentin Vernede, Tarik Kariouh, Lucie Mancipoz, Marine Gesbert, Fleur Fitoussi, Marushka Jury, Simon Roth
Production: Geko Films

Louise and Sofia are two newly-qualified midwives who, after five years of studies, go to their first day of work in a public hospital. Right from the start, they have to deal with the confusion of the maternity ward, learn the rules, look for their place, and overcome the mistrust of some colleagues. They have to learn how to move fast and find the right solutions for their patients, each of whom is a case in itself to be handled with competence, professionalism and empathy. Some of them cannot handle it and leave, some others integrate and continue. Documentary elements are inserted into the fictional structure of the film. The women giving birth are real pregnant women, as are the births indeed. The epilogue is a demonstration for midwives’ rights against precarious work and inadequate salaries. A flow of women pours in the streets for a shared moment of enthusiasm.

Discussion followed with Gaudenzia Caselli (freelance midwife, treasurer of the Order), Laura Cardalana (midwife, care manager Maternal and Child Care Department S.C. Di.P.Sa. ASL TO5), Maria Leonelli (midwife in family counseling ASL City of Turin, vice president of the Order). Moderator: Gian Mario Gillio (journalist).
Event in collaboration with Interprovincial Order of the Midwifery Profession of Turin, Asti, Cuneo, Alessandria and Aosta.

Léa Fehner (Toulouse, France, 1981) is a French director and screenwriter. After studying cinema in Nantes, she graduated in screenwriting at Fémis. Her thesis is the screenplay of the movie Qu?un seul tienne et les autres suivront which became, in 2009, her first feature film. This movie was selected for the Venice Film Festival. Fehner is a member of the 50/50 group that has the goal to promote equality and diversity in cinema and audiovisual.

Filmografia: Miros (s.f., 2000), Caillou (cm, 2001), Dora (s.f., 2001), Ceux qui tiennent les murs (s.f., 2003), Sauf le silence (s.f., 2007), Qu’un seul tienne et les autres suivront (2009), Les ogres (2016), Sages-femmes (2023).