Mariana's Room

'Mariana's Room' is a drama by Emmanuel Finkiel based on the eponymous book by Aharon Appelfeld. Both are responsible for signing the script adaptation in this production filmed in Ukrainian, German, Yiddish, and Russian, and participated by France, Belgium, Israel, Hungary, and Portugal.

The film is set during World War II, in Chernovitz, Nazi-occupied territory of what is now Ukraine. Fearing deportation, a Jewish mother escapes and entrusts her best friend Mariana to take care of her young son Hugo. Mariana is a prostitute living in a local brothel and hides Hugo in the wall of her room. There, the little boy will witness a parade of peculiar clients of all kinds as the War unfolds. A peculiar exploration of battle and sexuality through what the little boy hears through the walls.

'Mariana's Room' stars French actress Mélanie Thierry, who studied Ukrainian for two years to prepare for this role. The rest of the cast consists of Ukrainian actors, including Artem Kyryk, Julia Goldberg, Yon Rozenkier, and Minou Monfared. The filming was supposed to take place in that country but had to be moved to Hungary due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The film received mixed reviews, although Mélanie Thierry achieved a nomination for the 2026 César for best actress for her work.