In the new French film ‘A Common Thread’ headstrong Claire learns that she is five months pregnant at the age of 17. Claire decides to give birth in secret. Her passion for embroidery leads her to seek out the revered Madame Mlikian, an embroiderer for haute couture designers. Madame Melikian is initially reluctant to take on Claire, but Claire soon proves herself and has her refuge. A bond soon develops between the two women.

This is a quirky, warm, tender film.

I fell under the films’ spell with ease. It was a lovingly realised film, well directed by Eloenere Faucher, with a sparse, eloquent script, and immaculate performances by its two leads, Lola Naymark and Ariane Ascaride.

This was a gentle, subtle film as reflected in its delicate soundtrack and the films’ milieu, Madame Melikian’s home factory, and the many scenes showing the two women working on their tapestries. ‘A Common Thread’ worked principally because Faucher and her cast communicated so clearly to the audience the type of people these two women were and the emotions they were going through. Naymark’s portrait revealed a vivacious, tough young woman, determined to keep her life together. She communicated the ordeal of a woman having to cope with adult responsibilities far too soon.

Ariane’s portrayal of Madame Melikian revealed a reserved, uptight, capable middle aged woman battling depression as a result of losing her son. Ariane’s performance conveyed Melikian’s anguish but also the new sense of life that having Claire’s companionship gave her.

A big plus for ‘A Common Thread’, and one can’t say this about that many films, is that it has a strong ending, quiet, emphatic and resonant.