THE WOMAN’S GREATEST VALUE IS HER SILENCE

Maria, a young migrant from southern Italy, recounts her exile in Frankfurt with Giacomo, whom she married against her parents' wishes in the hope of a better life. To avoid breaking the code of silence that prevails in her region of origin, other protagonists, themselves immigrants, interpret her story on camera. What was originally intended to be a documentary portrait has turned into a hybrid work, both ambiguous and funny, straddling reality and fiction, minor and major history. By embellishing her narrative with re-enactments, where events from Maria's life intertwine with those of the non professional actors, Pinkus tackles an even broader theme: that of uprooting, integration and resignation among immigrant populations. The form of the film uses realistic and observational sequences in the streets, the station and supermarkets as well as takes in a subtle mise en scène that illustrates the imaginary of Maria.