Petite Maman

New York Times Critics' Pick
72 mins.
Directed by Céline Sciamma
PG
French with subtitles
2022

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.


“There isn’t a false note or superfluous image in PETITE MAMAN, which runs a just-right 72 minutes. It’s perfect.” Manohla Dargis. A New York Times Critic's Pick!