Petite Maman (France, 2021, 1.12 mins)
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Welcome to 2021!
We are in for another great year of films and discussions. For first timers, let me explain what happens. We watch the film selected for the night and then we discuss it for 30 minutes or so. We chose acclaimed films from around the world. I personally always add to my understanding of the film from the discussion.
Petite Maman is a great way to ease into 2026. Sit back, relax and let two 8-year-old girls guide your memories of what childhood was like and teach you some new things too,
In Petite Maman (little mum) Nelly has just lost her grandmother and is helping her parents clean out her mother's childhood home. She explores the house and the surrounding woods. One day she meets a girl her age building a tree-house. OK, that is it - no more spoiler alerts.
Well, OK, the Fresh Air reviewer wrote:
"There, [in grandma's house] the girls giggle as they cook up a messy pancake breakfast and act out a hilariously elaborate murder mystery. Few recent movies have so effortlessly captured the joy and creativity of children at play."
The Guardian reviewer wrote: "a superb movie - the jewel of this year's Berlin film festival". (And yes - looking at the photo, the girls are actually real life twins).
No spoiler alerts. J