My Life as a Courgette (2016)

[esteban²]

Also know as :
My Life as a Zucchini

Director :
Claude Barras

Courgette is an intriguing nickname for a 9-year-old boy. Although his unique story is surprisingly universal. After his mother's sudden death, Courgette is befriended by a police officer Raymond, who accompanies him to his new foster home filled with other orphans his age. At first he struggles to find his place in this strange, at times, hostile environment. Yet with Raymond's help and his new-found friends, Courgette eventually learns to trust, finds true love and at last a new family of his own.

My Life as a Courgette / Ma vie de courgette (2016) - Trailer (English Subs) - YouTube

No US release date yet.

[esteban²]

I have always been intrigued by stop-motion, even as a kid I wanted to know how they did it and fantasized about making one myself. Ma Vie de Courgette has been high on my watch-list for a while now. Glad to see it's doing very well on different festivals, winning things, and gets lots of great reviews ...

On one hand, the cartoon is never afraid to be cute, but more importantly, it's committed to being real.
,- Variety

The tough subject matter doesn't detract from the fact that the picture and its poignant elements make for an unadorned delight.
,- The Playlist

Barras has bravely tackled an almost taboo subject and made it palatable and manageable for children and adults alike.
,- HeyUGuys

Sustains a tone that acknowledges that life is a blend of good news and bad but that kindness and compassion can cut through a great deal of soul-crushing adversity.
,- Screen International

The animation is simple and no-frills, but the movie's strength lies in its hopeful, and not naïve, outlook and its convincing evocation of childhood.
,- Film-Forward

[Mr.F]

I've been excited for it since it premiered at Cannes. GKids is giving it an Oscar-qualifying release this year since it is Switzerland's pick for the foreign language Oscar. It will get a wider release early next year.

Since GKids films never make it out here in the middle of nowhere, I still have to wait until next summer for the eventual blu release

[esteban²]

Or maybe Netflix will pick it up ... Like happened with the must-see 'The Little Prince'. I had the chance to see that one in theatres in 2015 and -living in Belgium- I'm lucky to have 'Courgette' here next month. I can imagine it's furstrating living in the US, when you love these things.

[Mr.F]

Originally Posted by esteban²

Or maybe Netflix will pick it up ... Like happened with the must-see 'The Little Prince'. I had the chance to see that one in theatres in 2015 and -living in Belgium- I'm lucky to have 'Courgette' here next month. I can imagine it's furstrating living in the US, when you love these things.

The Netflix thing won't happen since GKids already has the rights. It will pop up on Amazon Prime eventually, but only months after its video release. If the release pattern is similar to Boy and the World, I should be able to see it in July.

[esteban²]

I see.

[Astro Zombie]

I read that as "My Life as a Corvette"

[Coenskubrick]

Originally Posted by Astro Zombie

I read that as "My Life as a Corvette"

My life as a Cosette

[esteban²]

I'm a bit surprised this movie still doesn't get any attention. Golden Globe nomination, Academy nomination, nominated at 10 different film festivals (won 9 times), won 'Best Animated Feature' at the European Oscars and other award shows ...

Well, I'm glad it's available on VOD in two weeks overhere. Just in time to see it and (maybe) put it on my top 2016 voting list.

There's an English trailer now :

MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI Trailer (2017) - YouTube

[esteban²]

In JWFORD we trust.

[esteban²]

Yes, the positive vibe surrounding this peculiar stop-motion movie is well deserved. 'Ma Vie de Courgette' sure is something different. It's not afraid to handle adult themes as seen through the eyes of children, at the same time keeping things light. Subtle and simplistic, but very effective. Just like the animation itself. While the design can be seen as some sort of 'lumpish', it's exactly what's making it more real too. The expressions of these pupets are disarmingly subtile. It's what makes things work so well.

However, this might be the very first time I truly believe a movie is kinda too short. With a running time of only 66 minutes (credits included), it felt a bit unfinished in some way. There is absolutely no urgency in 'Ma Vie de Courgette', which is both the strenght and the weakness of this irresistibly charming small film. Sure, in the end it left me with a sincere smile on my face, as I enjoyed it a lot. But it was not able to really move me. Maybe a few more scenes exploring the struggles of the main characters, might have given this that little bit of extra depth.

Either it's a big fat 7 or a small 7,5 out of 10.