Written/directed by young German director Stephan Anspichler, this powerful documentary is about one woman stepping out, outside of the constraints of Western society to make a difference. EGOISTE explores the world of Lotti Latrous, an extraordinary humanitarian who while working with Mother Teresa and accompanying the dying she comprehended the importance and richness of life. Today she runs her own clinic “Centre of Hope” in Abidjan to help ease the pain and anguish of HIV/AIDS victims on the Ivory Coast.
The film focuses not only on Lotti’s exceptional work, but also her choice to do this work which comes at a heavy price to her family. What makes this story so remarkable is that Lotti made the difficult decision to denounce her own affluent lifestyle to follow her true vocation. Having brought her existence into question, she remained on the Ivory Coast to fulfill her soul’s desires while her husband, a successful business and young daughter are transferred back to Cairo.
The film poignantly reveals Lotti’s gift for giving love to those who may never have felt it, and raising the question as to whether her own family are starved of this love and have also fallen victims to the effects of this deadly disease.
Unafraid to reveal harrowing scenes, Anspichler’s documentary tackles one woman’s crisis of conscience directly and brings into question the importance of the inner conflict of the human soul.
In 2004, “Madame Lotti” as she is affectionately called was named Switzerland's "Woman of the Year" joining the ranks of such Swiss nationals as Roger Federer.
The film focuses not only on Lotti’s exceptional work, but also her choice to do this work which comes at a heavy price to her family. What makes this story so remarkable is that Lotti made the difficult decision to denounce her own affluent lifestyle to follow her true vocation. Having brought her existence into question, she remained on the Ivory Coast to fulfill her soul’s desires while her husband, a successful business and young daughter are transferred back to Cairo.
The film poignantly reveals Lotti’s gift for giving love to those who may never have felt it, and raising the question as to whether her own family are starved of this love and have also fallen victims to the effects of this deadly disease.
Unafraid to reveal harrowing scenes, Anspichler’s documentary tackles one woman’s crisis of conscience directly and brings into question the importance of the inner conflict of the human soul.
In 2004, “Madame Lotti” as she is affectionately called was named Switzerland's "Woman of the Year" joining the ranks of such Swiss nationals as Roger Federer.