1943. Nazi-occupied France. Jewish parents have entrusted their children to the care of remote boarding schools. Madame Forman (Cécile De France) is the headmistress of one such school that unfortunately doesn’t remain a safe haven for long. Hard-headed 12-year-old Fanny assumes the leadership of a small band of eight children, and resourcefully prepares to flee with them across France to the safety of Switzerland. It’s a frightening journey for these eight kids, as collaborationist French police and Gestapo agents lie in wait.
Director Lola Doillon has our hearts pounding in overtime, from beginning to end. Based on the autobiography of 86-year-old Fanny Ben-Ami, who now lives in Israel.