Madame Rosa (1977)

Madame Rosa resides in a sixth-floor apartment in the Pigalle neighborhood. A retired Jewish prostitute and Auschwitz survivor, she cares for the children of other sex workers. Momo, an Algerian boy, is her favorite and she raises him as a Muslim. When he inquires about his parents, she avoids the topic. As Madame Rosa ages and takes in fewer children, Momo must assume more responsibilities. To make ends meet, he tries street puppetry for a meager income. With his captivating appearance, Madame Rosa makes him promise not to engage in prostitution or pimping. Nadine, a film editor, befriends him, and his father reemerges unexpectedly. As Madame Rosa's health deteriorates, she avoids hospitals, and Momo is faced with a critical decision.