My Life as a Zucchini

Name: My Life as a Zucchini
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Animation, Family
Released: February 24, 2017
Duration: 70 min
Rating: 85

2017

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 71 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 71 Ratings

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My Life As A Zucchini

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Movie Details & Credits

GKIDS | Release Date: February 24, 2017 | Not Rated

Summary: After his mother’s sudden death, Zucchini 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 at times strange and hostile environment. But with Raymond’s help and his newfound friends, Zucchini eventually learns to trustAfter his mother’s sudden death, Zucchini 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 at times strange and hostile environment. But with Raymond’s help and his newfound friends, Zucchini eventually learns to trust and love, as he searches for a new family of his own. [Gkids]… Expand

Director: Claude Barras

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Animation, Family

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 70 min

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Awards & Rankings

35	#35 Best Movie of 2017

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Critic Reviews

100

Michael O'Sullivan

Mar 2, 2017

It may not sound like it, but calling this barely 70-minute Swiss stop-motion film “heavy” — as in substantial and almost swollen with feeling — is a true compliment. Read full review

Consequence of Sound Dominick Suzanne-Mayer

Feb 27, 2017

It’s a simple story of children who have to figure out, at too young an age, what kind of people they’ll be. And in its pervasive sense of hope, Barras seems to suggest that they can be anybody they want. There’s always still time, as long as love remains in the world. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Feb 16, 2017

My Life as a Zucchini is so warm, so alive, that we forget we're watching cartoon figures. And when they belong to us, they're no longer orphans. Read full review

The Film Stage Ed Frankl

Dec 12, 2016

Its child’s viewpoint and pastel-colored animation belies a cruel melancholy at the heart of My Life as a Courgette, as all its children lust for a life that is different from their own. Read full review

Jamie Neish

Jun 2, 2017

My Life as a Courgette is a tender, funny and wise-beyond-its-years stop-motion animation that takes on tough subject matter through the eyes of a child. Read full review

Joshua Rothkopf

Feb 17, 2017

The main reason to commit to this movie’s tough story of orphan loneliness is the screenplay by Céline Sciamma, herself a major French talent devoted to tales of youthful resilience. (Her 2014 film "Girlhood" is breathtaking.) Read full review

Mike D'Angelo

Feb 22, 2017

The movie is a pleasure to look at, and often genuinely sweet, but it’s also akin to scaring the crap out of a little kid for 30 seconds and then smothering her with cotton candy for an hour. Skip the first part and you don’t need the second part, either. Read full review

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User Reviews

Rebecca31

Jun 9, 2017

A stop motion animation drama about a young boy who loses his mother and is sent to a children’s home. The trailer gives the impression of an overly depressing and dark film but I can assure you this is far from the case. I’ve never seen a film as heart-warming as it is sad. The animation isA stop motion animation drama about a young boy who loses his mother and is sent to a children’s home. The trailer gives the impression of an overly depressing and dark film but I can assure you this is far from the case. I’ve never seen a film as heart-warming as it is sad. The animation is beautiful, the interaction between the children feels so real you’re brought into this story immediately and you start to forget you’re watching a film. It also deals with the difficult subject matter very well. A genuinely moving film that will stay with you long after the credits have finished. Highly recommended.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

BrunoVn00

Jan 10, 2020

Fantastic movie. It made a very good job in making me care about the characters. Every character feels compelling and realistic and has an understandable motivation. The visual style gives this movie its own personality. I loved how it's animated and the look of everything from theFantastic movie. It made a very good job in making me care about the characters. Every character feels compelling and realistic and has an understandable motivation. The visual style gives this movie its own personality. I loved how it's animated and the look of everything from the characters to the sets. Don't be fooled by its colorful and lighthearted appearance, because this is not a kids movie. I can't say it's an adult film, because it isn't either, but it's refreshing, at least in film animation, to see a movie starring a bunch of kids to be more adult-oriented and mature. There isn't a single moment that feels dull or unnecessary. The pacing is great because it always moves forward to tell us something new about the characters. The innocence of the kids is well captured here. I cared about these children and that was a shocker for me because kids in movies have the reputation to be annoying, but here, they are well developed and everyone has a distinct personality. I was genuinely shocked to learn about everything that they went through and I really wanted to see them accomplish what they want.

This is a fantastic movie anyone should watch. My only issue with it is that it's way too short, but I think it doesn't really bother me because the story it tells in that short runtime, it's genuinely interesting, thought-provoking and heartwarming. Seriously watch it, specially if you are interested in animation.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

PatrickSousa

Feb 24, 2017

What an awesome animation. If Zootopia has a big message, this movie has a bigger one, running away from the metaphorical way to express itself, to a more realist one.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

RaduA

Feb 18, 2019

85/100

My day got better in an hour. This movie is very beautiful, and it managed to get me a tear. It also shows the good parts of life and the bad parts... not everything is pink. As I have said, stop-motion is my favorite method of creating a movie and I will not change my mind.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BrianMcCritic

May 28, 2017

This sobering stop motion animated film is heavy on tone and substance while still managing to to have it's light hearted moments. Not a kids film, but for fans of this animation style it should please. A-

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

LeZee

Apr 26, 2017

Seeking a second chance for the normal life.

Whenever I review a Stop-motion animated film, I always start with by saying it is a dying art form that needs a bigger lift from us. It gave a new life for filmmaking when there were no technology like computers hundred years ago for theSeeking a second chance for the normal life.

Whenever I review a Stop-motion animated film, I always start with by saying it is a dying art form that needs a bigger lift from us. It gave a new life for filmmaking when there were no technology like computers hundred years ago for the creation of giant creatures to all the fantasy and magical world. I am glad that every year someone coming forward to show the world how beautiful these are.

I think there's a quota for it and 2D animation for the Oscars. Otherwise, these formats would die sooner than we expected, so that recognition in the big stage. Every year at least one film from these two categories makes out. This year it was a double jackpot for Stop-motion animation. Including this, 'Kubo and the Two Strings' was the other one to shine in the world's biggest film awards ceremony. But winning the trophy is almost impossible in this 3D animated film world. Anyway, I'm happy for this, that I enjoyed watching it.

It was a short film, that ran for just one hour. First, we have to understand filmmaking in this form is a most challenging one than any other. It is a manual work. I mean people get in there and frame by frame do all the work. So for this one hour film, they had done the great hard work and it paid off well by got nominated for the Oscars. It was also Switzerland's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film, but failed to make progress in that race.

The screenplay was based on the book. A simple story with a strong message. This is the tale of a boy with full of dreams and after his alcoholic mother died, he is taken to the orphanage. That is the last place he wanted to be where he meets a mean boy and soon becomes his close friend. Being young kids, they tend to play some pranks with officials, visitors and themselves. That's one of the ways to cope with for where they have ended. So the remaining is to tell us would they get a second chance in their lives.

❝I don't know why I'm crying. Sometimes people cry because they're happy.❞

When some take up a project like this, they are not offered to make mistakes in choosing a weak screenplay. Because there are thousands of films in production around the world and in those, a handful of animated films, but probably he's only one up for a Stop-motion animated feature. Which means everyone with the knowledge of his commitment will be looking forward to it. So the filmmakers have opted to adapt a novel, which is always a best option in filmmaking.

The next is the characters. Making them come alive, particularly initial stage, the creation of models. Yep, they have done that job as well so well. Gooding looking ones, especially among the kids for having similarity with their vision. The frame rate was good. Very smoother for viewing. So technically it was a flawless for the normal watch. An impressive storyline, which might serve as a tearjerker for a few.

There's a little romance, but from the children's perspective of having a crush. Since the girl character was introduced, the narration takes a fresh look. The following event becomes even more adventurous and fun filled till the end. The voice-over was excellent. From the dialogues to the film scenes very impressive. It marks the directional debut for a short filmmaker. An appreciable work and I hope he makes more like them with new technics than migrating to computer animations.

One of the advantages is it is a short and sweet film, but those who love such films might feel it is too short. Most importantly, there're not clichés like what we've seen films that takes place in the orphanages. The opening was shocking. If it was a real life, the boy would have ended in a different place. Still the emotional parts were less explored, yet very convincing for not leaning too much on that facet.

The film is one of the best in its kind, but I agree it's not a masterpiece. Not if you have seen plenty of Stop-motion animations in your life. Yet it can't be neglected that easily and surely it is for everyone. I know there are folks who thinks this format of films are for little ones, but the truth is they are still in the pre 90s mindset. This is good, give it a try and you might love it. Anyway, for its rareness itself highly recommended, then you decided how do you liked it or not.

7/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

jdiaz

Mar 12, 2017

Ma vie de courgette is a film that tells a simple story in a beautiful way. Man, French/Swiss cinema has the soul we dream of.

Claude Barras, c'est vrai que tu n'as pas la publicité de Pixar, mais c'est pas grave parce que tu t'en fou. N'arrête pas jamais de faire ce que tu aime.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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