MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI

MA VIE DE COURGETTE

By Claude BARRAS

GKIDS - as SALES / DISTR

Animation - Completed 2016

Zucchini is an odd nickname for a 10 year old boy. After his mother’s death, he ends up in a special orphanage. He will discover there friendship, trust and even love.

Festivals
& Awards

Directors' Fortnight 2016
Toronto - TIFF 2016
TIFF Kids
San Sebastian FF 2016
Perlak Award to the european film
Zurich FF 2016
Special Screenings Prix du jury de la section pour enfants
BFI London FF 2016
First Feature Competition
Sundance Film Festival 2017
Kids
    • Year of production
    • 2016
    • Genres
    • Animation
    • Countries
    • FRANCE, SWITZERLAND
    • Languages
    • FRENCH
    • Budget
    • N/A
    • Duration
    • 68 mn
    • Director(s)
    • Claude BARRAS
    • Writer(s)
    • Céline SCIAMMA
    • Producer(s)
    • Max KARLI (Rita Productions), Pauline GYGAX (Rita Productions), Armelle GLORENNEC (Blue Spirit Animation), Marc BONNY (Gebeka Films)
    • Synopsis
    • Recommended for ages 12 and up.

      Based on the book Autobiographie d’une Courgette by Gilles Paris, Claude Barras’s first feature-length stop-motion animated film explores difficult subject matter with a delicate touch.

      Icare is a nine-year-old only child living with his alcoholic mother, who calls him “Zucchini.” After an unfortunate accident, he is sent to a group home, which is hostile at first, but he slowly becomes more comfortable there as he learns more about the other children. Through the friendships he develops with them—particularly a young girl named Camille—and the attention of Raymond, a well-meaning policeman, Zucchini finds the strength to overcome his own personal tragedy and embrace life and the future.

      Barras’s imaginative storytelling, coupled with an exquisite script by Céline Sciamma (Girlhood, 2015 Sundance Film Festival), weaves a heartwarming tale that deals with dark themes with sensitivity and humor in a way that is accessible to young audiences.

      Please note: This film may be challenging for some younger viewers: it includes discussions about sex, accidental death, abuse, suicide, alcoholism, and drugs.