Belgium | France 2025
Opening March 5, 2026

Directed by: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne
Writing credits: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne
Principal actors: Babette Verbeek, Elsa Houben, Janaina Halloy, Lucie Laruelle, Samia Hilmi

Jessica (Babette Verbeek), Perla (Lucie Laruelle), Ariane (Janaina Halloy), Naima (Samia Hilmi), and Julie (Elsa Houben) are among a group of young mothers whom we begin to know over 105 minutes. Their babies are Alba, Noé, Lili, Selma, and Mia, all cared for by the mother, grandmother, or their mother’s partner. In one case there is a foster family. Also, some stay in a special home for mothers with children. One mother is busy looking for an apartment; another mother is getting to know her own mother, whom she never met and asks, “Why did you give me away?” This situation, i.e., giving away, also happens in this next generation. One mother ends up in the hospital. 

The story jumps back and forth between the mothers and their families: activities, joys, problems and goals, played by excellent actors, including many babies. All very realistic, perhaps those of us with children will recognize similar experiences. Jeunes mères played at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival where it won first prize for Best Screenplay, as well as an independent film award from the Ecumenical Jury, which is one of three juries at the Cannes Film Festival. It premiered in Hamburg at the Filmfest Hamburg 2025 where it won Hamburg’s Douglas Sirk Prize.  (Becky T.)