Petite Maman

Eight-year-old Nelly travels to the countryside to stay with her parents after her beloved grandmother dies. In the hedged lanes and the quiet house, she stumbles upon a girl her own age who seems oddly familiar, as if someone from another time were standing beside her. The two quickly form a simple, easy friendship and spend the days exploring the forest, building a makeshift camp, and listening to the wind. Through their exchanges and the small, practical tasks they share, Nelly begins to process her loss without adult explanation. The film favors observation over exposition, letting memory grow into understanding, while the world behind the trees keeps offering fresh surprises for a child who wishes to believe deeply.

Directed by Céline Sciamma, Petite Maman arrived in 2021 as an intimate drama with light fantasy. Based on an original screenplay, it stars Joséphine Sanz and Gabrielle Sanz, with production emphasizing natural light and close, quiet shots.

The film sparked conversations about how children cope with death and change, using a spare, almost ceremonial tone rather than melodrama. Audiences praised the quiet performances and Sciamma's restrained approach which invites viewers to supply meaning, and the forest itself became a symbol of memory. Its spareness invites repeat viewings.

Critics highlighted the film's delicate handling of grief, memory, and time as seen through a child's eyes. The narrative relies on observation, silence, and small interactions to reveal emotional truth, avoiding heavy exposition while offering a tender, reflective look at loss and belonging. It dramatizes growing up through small, precise moments and the quiet courage of a young girl.

It drew nominations at several notable ceremonies, underscoring the reaction to Sciamma's restrained direction and the naturalistic work of the young leads, who convey loss and resilience without relying on melodrama or obvious sentiment. The conversations around it continue to resonate. It resonates with new audiences.