My Life as a Courgette

 Year:  2016

Director:  Claude Barras

Screenplay: Céline Sciamma

Starring:  Gaspar Schlatter, Sixtine Murat, Pauline Jaccound, Nick Offerman, Amy Sedaris, Elliot Page, Will Forte

Running Time:  65 minutes

Genre:  Animated, drama

When nine year old Icare's alcoholic single mother dies, he is sent to a children's home.  At first Icare, who prefers to be called "Courgette", finds it difficult to fit in but, thanks to some new friends, including a kindly police officer, Icare finally begins to find some acceptance.

This animated Swiss/French film is beautifully realised in colourful stop-motion.  However it's bright colours, odd title and flashes of humour hide a surprisingly dark tale.  Essentially it is a gentle, warm-hearted tale about a boy finding love and acceptance, it's also a story about grief, loneliness and loss, which doesn't shy away from the tragic histories of many of the children in the home.  Despite a brief running time the film moves at a sedate pace.  The script by Céline Sciamma (writer and director of acclaimed dramas such as Water Lilies (2007), Tomboy (2011) and A Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)) is funny and moving, and the animation and character design is striking.  A re-dubbed English language version was released as My Life as a Zucchini with a voice cast including Nick Offerman, Amy Seders, Will Forte and Elliot Page.  While it may be too dark for younger children, this is certainly worth checking out for adults as well as children.

My Life as a Courgette