Mostly Martha (film)

Mostly Martha original German title Bella Martha is a 2001 German romantic comedy drama film written and directed by Sandra Nettelbeck and starring Martina Gedeck, Maxime Foerste, and Sergio Castellitto. Filmed in Hamburg, Germany, and Italy, the film is about a workaholic chef who is forced to adjust to major changes in her personal and professional life that are beyond her control. The film won the Crteil International Womens Film Festival Grand Prix Award, and was nominated for the Goya Award for Best European Film in 2002. It was also nominated for the German Film Awards Outstanding Feature Film.

Marthas life takes a dramatic turn when she learns that her sister is killed in a car accident, leaving behind an eightyearold daughter, Lina Maxime Foerste. Martha must now look after her niece, who is understandably depressed, withdrawn, and refuses to eat. The girls Italian father, Giuseppe Lorenzo, has been out of the picture for years living somewhere in Italy. While coping with her sisters death and raising the young girl, Marthas world is further complicated when Frida hires funloving and unorthodox Mario Sergio Castellitto as a souschef to replace Lea Katja Studt, who is expecting a child any day. Martha looks on in horror as Mario transforms her kitchen of precision and logistics with his relaxed banter and eclectic jazz music.Unable to find an acceptable babysitter, Martha starts to bring Lina to the restaurant with her. Lina begins to emerge from her depression in the presence of Marios playfulness, and even begins to eat when Mario leaves her unattended with a plate of spaghetti hes prepared. Touched by Marios kindness and concern for the child, Martha becomes more accepting of Mario. She even asks for his help in locating Linas father in Italy and translating a letter shes written to him. ........

Source: Wikipedia