Cherish
By Cherish Clinton and Lisa Ward
“The Sixth Child” is a French film that looks at the emotional and physical costs of having an unwanted child, and the tough decisions that follow.
The subtitled film follows Franck, a scrap dealer, who lives with Meriem in the outskirts of Paris. They have five children with a sixth on the way, and serious money problems. They meet a wealthy Parisian couple who are unable to have children but desperately want one, and thus a heartwrenching scheme is devised.
The film was adapted from the novel Crying Rivers written by Alain Jaspard who found his inspiration after reading a news story about a couple of travelers, referred to as “gypsies” in the film, who sold one of their children to another couple in exchange for 10,000 euros.
The riveting story is well told and naturally grips the heart. In a time where politicians aggressively legislate women’s bodies and choices on motherhood, this film highlights the impossible decisions placed on struggling families.
It’s superbly acted by the entire cast and has the audience captivated from start to finish, well worth the watch.
The 38th Santa Barbara International Film Festival runs through February 18. Official events including screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and celebrity tributes, will be held throughout the city, including at the historic Arlington Theatre. Passes and tickets are on sale now at .
