Is The Life Ahead on Netflix based on a true story?

THE Life Ahead is a new film coming to Netflix on November 13.

It's based on a French fictional novel that was first adapted for screen in the 1970s.

• The best thrillers on Netflix
• The most terrifying horrors on Netflix
• The best true crime series on Netflix

2

Is The Life Ahead based on a true story?

The Life Ahead is not based on a true story, though it is set within the context of life after the Holocaust.

The Netflix show tells the story of a Holocaust survivor running a daycare business when she takes in a street kid who tries to rob her.

Madame Rosa runs a business looking after the children of prostitutes and is tasked with minding a young street child named Momo.

The story is based on a famous French novel, and just how closely this adaptation sticks the novel yet to be seen.

One key change is that the new film is set in Italy, rather than France.

2

What is the book The Life Ahead based on called?

Netflix's The Life Ahead is based on a French novel by Romain Gary, titled The Life Before Us.

It won the prestigious Prix Goncourt award in 1975 when it was published.

It has already been adapted for film and Broadway, where it ran for a short time.

The 1977 film adaptation - a French drama named Madame Rosa - won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

That version is currently not available to watch on Netflix.

The book's themes are euthanasia, prostitution, the aftermath of the Holocaust, immigration and aging.

The novel was banned in Iran for around a decade after the Islamic Revolution, then was banned for a second time over a 13 year period which ended in 2018.

Most read in Streaming

AMAZON WARRIOR

Girl, 13, who survived 40 DAYS in Amazon reveals mum's haunting last moments

binge watch

Best TV to stream this week chosen by experts - from Cobra Kai to Yellowstone

VANISHING ACT

Stranger Things fans convinced they’ve ‘cracked’ series’ mystery with clue

prime time

Macaulay Culkin lands huge role in smash-hit Prime Video drama as it returns

When is The Life Ahead on TV?

The Life Ahead is dropping on Netflix on November 13.

Netflix has listed the 94-minute film as emotional, gritty and heartfelt.

It stars Hollywood legend Sophia Loren and Ibrahima Gueye.