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Movie review
‘Madame Rosa’ is poignant
by Vida Goldgar
What do an aging Jewish
prostitute and a pre-teen Arab boy
have in common?
In the movie, “Madame Rosa,"
at the Rhodes Theater, the strange
and beautiful relationship unfolds
in a poignant portrayal of human
need and caring, of love and
survival, among the demimonde.
Simone Signoret is Madame
Rosa, long past her prime as a
Paris prostitute. She survives by
caring for the children of younger
women still able to work the
streets. One of these waifs is Momo
(short for Mohammed), played
with heartbreaking appeal by
Samy ben Youb.
Overweight, puffy-eyed and
ravaged by time and experience,
Madame Rosa drifts in and out of
reality.
In one compelling scene, she
relives the time when, betrayed as a
Jew by her lover, she waited to be
sent to Auschwitz. The aging Rosa
dresses, packs a single suitcase,
and waits in fear—snapping back
to reality when found by Momo. It
is a magnificent pieoe of acting by
Signoret.
The six flights of stairs leading
Carter condemns Nazis
WASHINGTON, (JTA)—President Carter expressed his
“complete solidarity" with the people who demonstrated against
the American Nazis in Chicago and Skokie recently. The White
House has made available the text of a telegram the President sent
on June 25 to Sol Goldstein, chairman of the Holocaust Survivors
Association of the Jewish United Fund (JUF) of Metropolitan
Chicago.
Carter’s message said that as President “1 must respect the
decision of the Supreme Court allowing this group (the Nazis) to
express their views, even when those views are despicable and ugly
as they are in this case. But if such views must be expressed, I am
pleased they will not go unanswered. That is why I want to voice
my complete solidarity with those citizens of Skokie and Chicago
who will gather Sunday (June 25) in a peaceful demonstration of
their abhorrence of Nazism....Your peaceful demonstration
against Naztim a in the best tradition of America.”
to Madame Rosa's flat are used to
the fullest. The aging lady's
worsening condition is shown as it
becomes more and more difficult,
and finally impossible, for her to
make the steep climb.
Near the end, a band of husky
young men who live in the building
cheerfully carry a painted and
primped Madame Rosa down the
six flights so she can have a last
visit in the country.
As Rosa's health deteriorates
and she fights to keep from being
hospitalized, other living
arrangements are made for the
children until only Momo is left. In
the scene after gripping scene,
Rosa slips gradually downhill
while Momo struggles toward
maturity. Their growing
interdependence underlines over
and over that “everybody needs
someone to love.”
The depiction by Israeli writer
and director Moshe Mizrahi of
Arab and Jew and their
dependence on each other brings
another potent message to the film.
“Madame Rosa” deserved the
1977 Academy Award for Best
Foreign Film. Don’t be put off by
the sub-titles. They never detract
from the beautiful camera work
and power of the film.
Simone Signoret
in
MADAME ROSA
Inviationa
Greeting Cards
New Year Cards
Personalized Accessories
24 Hr. Service on Imprinted
Napkins, Matches, etc.,
321-4317
Jerry & Phyllis Kraft
present
THE JEAN KING
PRE WASHED NAME BRAND
JEANS— Lee, Levi, Viceroy and
many more at discount prices,
discounts on all merchandise
Free alterations while you wait.
Also available, custom made
T Shirts at THE JEAN KING
2303 Cheshire Bridg* Rd.
321 4991
also at Bolton Shopping Center
2S6S Rotten Road
Watch for N.E. Plaza Opening
INC.
NALD'S.
Dear Friends & Clients,
I
It pleases me to introduce to you Anita, Brenda,
Frank, Todd and Rick. They have joined our staff
and offer to you their services at a special $15.00
for a cut and shampoo set or blow set. Please tell
your friends of their fine talent.
From here forward I will always offer a special
of some nature. We now accept Master and Visa
Charges.
Kindest Regards,
Donald
3500 Peachtree Road, N.E. - Atlanta, Georgia 30326 - 237-4688
Page 7 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE July 14, 1971