U

After her parents die, Princess Mona isolates herself in a tall, shadowy castle where two grotesque guardians, Goomi and His Lordship, keep watch. She spends days hidden away, her sobs echoing through halls and stairwells. Then a white-furred unicorn named U appears, drawn by the sound of her loneliness, and offers friendship and protection for as long as she needs. U becomes Mona's confidant, playing guard and guide as her world slowly shifts from fear to curiosity. In the neighboring forest, a group of gentle Yeah-Yeahs settles among the trees, their calm presence ready to touch everyone, especially Kulka the dreamy musician, with quiet miracles. With U by her side, Mona begins to see possibilities beyond the castle walls, inviting the world back into her life in small, careful steps.

Released in 2006, U was directed by Serge Élissalde and adapted from Grégoire Solotareff's picture book U. The film features voices by Vahina Giocante as U and Isild Le Besco as Mona, with Bernadette Lafont voicing Mama.

Reviewers praised the film's restrained warmth and its delicate approach to grief. Mona's relationship with U frames a coming of age built on trust rather than triumph, while the Yeah-Yeahs in the forest symbolize small acts of kindness. Themes of friendship, memory, and hope linger after the tale ends.

Among animation fans, U is remembered for its unusual bond between a grieving princess and a protective unicorn and for the forest sequences that soften the castle's gloom. The film's quiet mood and distinctive visuals keep it alive in discussions of European animation.

Box office figures for U are not widely published, reflecting its modest release outside select markets. The film earned little by comparison with mainstream animation, yet its acclaim among critics and fans endures in discussions of French visual storytelling.