Petite Maman
Petite Maman

Movie spotlight

Petite Maman

2021
Movie
72 min
French

After the death of her beloved grandmother, eight-year-old Nelly meets a strangely familiar girl her own age in the woods. Instantly forming a connection with this mysterious new friend, Nelly embarks on a fantastical journey of discovery which helps her come to terms with this newfound loss.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes99%
Metacritic93
Google Users88%
Director: Céline SciammaGenres: Drama, Fantasy, Family

Plot Summary

While clearing out her grandmother's house, eight-year-old Nelly meets a girl her own age who is building a fort in the woods. To Nelly's surprise, the girl's name is also Marion, and she is the spitting image of her own mother, whom she barely remembers. The two girls quickly form a deep connection, spending their days together exploring and sharing secrets. As their bond grows, Nelly begins to understand the complexities of her mother's past and the enduring power of love.

Critical Reception

Petite Maman was met with widespread critical acclaim, praised for its gentle storytelling, emotional depth, and Sciamma's masterful direction. Critics lauded the film's sensitive exploration of grief, memory, and the mother-daughter relationship, highlighting its understated yet profound impact.

What Reviewers Say

  • A tender and profoundly moving exploration of childhood, memory, and familial bonds.

  • Céline Sciamma crafts a delicate, magical realism fairy tale that resonates deeply.

  • Praised for its subtle performances and emotionally resonant narrative.

Google audience: Audiences were deeply touched by the film's emotional resonance and delicate portrayal of childhood and loss. Many highlighted the film's gentle pacing and beautiful cinematography as major strengths, appreciating its ability to evoke profound feelings without overt drama.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Film Not in the English Language at the 75th British Academy Film Awards. Won awards at various festivals including the Seattle International Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film was shot entirely on location in the French countryside where director Céline Sciamma spent her own childhood.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
badelf

badelf

One might call this a Sci-Fi because it uses time-travel as a plot device, but it's not about that at all. The real themes are truth, and the complex relationship between mother and daughter over three generations. This is a heart-warming, ...

beyondthecineramadome

beyondthecineram...

Full review: <a>https://www.tinakakadelis.com/beyond-the-cinerama-dome/2021/12/28/somewhere-only-we-know-petite-maman-review<a> Despite what the name implies, Petite Maman feels just as grand. The story focuses on Nelly (Joséphine Sanz),...

Steve Parker

Steve Parker

Petite Maman is a movie about a girl (Nelly) who has just lost her grandmother and is helping her parents clean out her mother's childhood home. She explores the house and the surrounding woods. One day she meets a girl (Marion) her same ag...