It’s a bit pointless complaining about ignored or passed-over Oscar-worthy films, but if one were going to do such a thing, a pretty damn valid complaint would be French filmmaker Céline Sciamma’s “Portrait of A Lady On Fire” being looked over by the Academy in the 2019/2020 season. ironically, that’s the same year that NEON, the company behind ‘Portrait,’ defeated the odds, surpassed the giants with more money around then, and won Best Picture for “Parasite.” Perhaps it was a combination of NEON having to put all their eggs in one basket, sacrificing another, and the Academy just seemingly over the moon about Bong Joon-Ho’s masterful film.
Fine, ok, but the point stands! Céline Sciamma, also known for “Water Lilies” (2007), “Tomboy” (2011), “Girlhood” (2014), is one of the most exciting international filmmakers working today. Her latest is a bit of an unexpected zigzag after the acclaim of “Portrait Of A Lady On Fire.” The standard move would likely entice a big-name Hollywood actor to work with her, given how acclaimed French actress Adèle Haenel’s performance was in ‘Lady On Fire.’ Instead, Sciamma decided to make a film about children with basically unknown children in the lead.
It may feel to some that the film has been talked about forever because it actually debuted at the Berlin Film Festival at the top of 2021 and made many year-end best lists last year (including The Playlist’s Top 25 Films Of 2021). But it’s actually not hit stateside yet, and NEON is releasing the film next month. Here’s the official synopsis:
Céline Sciamma continues to prove herself as one of the most accomplished and unpredictable contemporary French filmmakers with her follow up to PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE, the uniquely emotional, PETITE MAMAN. Following the death of her beloved grandmother, 8-year-old Nelly accompanies her parents to her mother’s childhood home to begin the difficult process of cleaning out its contents. As Nelly explores the house and nearby woods, she is immediately drawn to a neighbor her own age building a treehouse. What follows is a tender tale of childhood grief, memory, and connection.
“Petite Maman” stars Joséphine Sanz, Gabrielle Sanz, Stéphane Varupenne, Nina Meurisse and Margo Abascal. NEON will release the film in theaters on April 22, 2022. Watch the new trailer below.