PETITE MAMAN Trailer
A childhood adventure unfolds quietly in Petite Maman, the latest from writer/director Céline Sciamma.
The film follows Nelly, who accompanies her parents to her recently deceased grandmother’s house to clean out the home. She helps a little, but mostly she meanders around the house and surrounding woods, playing and processing as kids do. She understands something big has happened and feels the tension and grief in her parents, but that doesn’t stop her from befriending a girl she meets in the woods and finding a whole other avenue for taking in everything that’s happened.
Those who’ve only seen Sciamma’s previous feature, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, may think this film is a hard pivot for the filmmaker, but really Portrait is the anomaly among her work. Sciamma predominately makes films about kids/teens, showing a keen eye for capturing the way kids absorb all the newness around them. Portrait’s poking at inner lives was simply an aging up of what she does best, and to see kids get that kind of attention on screen is a truly unique, wonderful experience.
Nell and her new friend are played by real-life twins Joséphine and Gabrielle Sanz, both in their first feature roles. But don’t be concerned that the film relies on green kid actors. Trust Sciamma’s filmmaking prowess, and you’ll be rewarded with a gentle, sweet tale (full disclosure: I’ve already seen it and it’s great).
Petite Maman is directed by Céline Sciamma and stars Joséphine Sanz,Gabrielle Sanz, and Nina Meurisse. It will be released in the US on April 22nd, 2022. For international release dates, click here.
Will you tag along with these kids? Let us know in the comments!
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