Simone: Woman of the Century - Characters & Cast

Her primary motivation is to fight against injustice and ensure that the barbarity she witnessed is never forgotten or repeated. Fueled by the memory of her mother, who died in the camps, and the loss of her father and brother, she dedicates her life to creating a more humane and just world. This manifests in her specific political battles for abortion rights, prison reform, and the unification of Europe.

The film portrays Simone's arc not as a transformation but as a lifelong embodiment of convictions forged in her youth and solidified in the crucible of the Holocaust. As a young woman (Rebecca Marder), she is shown as intelligent and resilient, surviving unimaginable horror. This experience doesn't break her but rather instills in her an unshakeable resolve. As an adult (Elsa Zylberstein), she channels this resolve into her public life, fighting for the rights of others. Her journey is one of applying the harsh lessons of her past to the challenges of the present, never wavering in her core principles of human dignity and justice.

His motivation is his love and admiration for Simone. He is driven by a desire to see her succeed and supports her ambitions, even when they challenge societal norms. He provides the stable home life and intellectual partnership that allows her to pursue her demanding public career.

Antoine is portrayed as a supportive, though at times traditional, husband who recognizes and ultimately champions his wife's extraordinary capabilities. Initially, he might have expected a more conventional wife and mother, but he evolves to become her steadfast partner. He is her confidant and intellectual equal, and the film suggests that Simone could not have achieved what she did without his support.

Her motivation is the survival and well-being of her children. Even in the direst circumstances of the camp, she is driven by a profound love and a desire to maintain their humanity and dignity. This maternal strength becomes Simone's lifelong inspiration.

Yvonne, Simone's mother, is presented as a foundational figure whose influence guides Simone long after her death. Before the war, she is shown as a progressive and loving mother. In the concentration camp, she is a pillar of strength and dignity. Her death from typhus in Bergen-Belsen is a pivotal tragedy that becomes a driving force for Simone's life. Her arc is completed through Simone's lifelong fight to uphold the values her mother instilled in her.