Director: Emmanuelle Nicot
A Belgian-French drama built around a preteen's abrupt separation from the only home she has known, and the slow, uncertain process of building a new one.
What is Love According to Dalva about?
One evening, twelve-year-old Dalva is removed from her father's house without warning, thrown into a system of social workers and shelters she has no context for. Confused and resistant at first, she gradually crosses paths with Jayden, a social worker trying to understand her, and Samia, a sharp-tempered teenager living in the same shelter. Through these two relationships, Dalva starts to encounter a version of childhood she has never had access to, one built around peers her own age rather than the adult world she was raised inside. The film follows her resistance softening into something closer to curiosity, then something closer to belonging, as she edges toward a life that finally looks like it belongs to a girl her age.
Cast & crew
Zelda Samson carries the film as Dalva, opposite Alexis Manenti and Fanta Guirassy as Jayden and Samia. Sandrine Blancke, Marie Denarnaud, Jean-Louis Coulloc'h, Maïa Sandoz, and Charlie Drach complete the supporting ensemble around the shelter and its staff.
Context & significance
Written and directed by Emmanuelle Nicot, this 2023 Belgian-French co-production takes a restrained, observational approach to a difficult subject, keeping its focus on Dalva's point of view rather than explaining or dramatizing the adults around her. It earned attention on the festival circuit for Samson's lead performance and for Nicot's careful handling of material that could easily have tipped into melodrama.
Where & how to watch
Love According to Dalva is available on K-Time, where the page can be read for free and streaming only requires logging into a free account. The platform is built for Farsi-speaking audiences, and this title comes with Persian dubbing and Persian subtitles for viewers who prefer to watch in Farsi.