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Petite Maman

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Petite Maman

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Summary

Fantasy drama starring Joséphine Sanz and Gabrielle Sanz. Eight-year-old Nelly joins her mother, Marion, in cleaning out the rural home of her recently deceased grandmother. When Nelly wanders into the woods, she befriends another child, also called Marion, and soon realises that they share a bond that transcends time.

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IMDB

Review

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Calum Baker

This Bafta-nominated fifth feature from French writer/director Céline Sciamma (Portrait of a Lady on Fire) is a tender, subtle exploration of childhood and memory. It follows eight-year-old Nelly (Joséphine Sanz) who assists her mother, Marion (Nina Meurisse), in cleaning out the home of her recently deceased grandmother. When her distressed mum leaves suddenly, Nelly wanders into the woods and encounters a girl (Gabrielle Sanz) who appears to be a past incarnation of Marion. Nelly becomes friends with her "little mother" and even gets to spend time with a younger version of her late granny (Margot Abascal). Sciamma smartly understates these fantasy elements, presenting events with an appropriately simple, childlike logic. Meanwhile, cinematographer Claire Mathon creates a lovely, autumnal colour palette that bolsters the film's emotional appeal. It's a languid affair despite the brevity of the tale, but the cumulative power of the many small moments, each straddling a line between personal and universal, is profoundly rewarding.

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7.3/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameNellyJoséphine SanzMarionGabrielle SanzLa mèreNina MeurisseLe pèreStéphane VarupenneLa grand-mèreMargot Abascal

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Crew

rolenameDirectorCéline Sciamma

Details

Theatrical distributor

MUBI

Released on

2021-11-19

Languages

French

Formats

Colour

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