My Life as a Zucchini (2016)

Original Title

Ma vie de Courgette

Genres

Animation, Comedy, Drama

Director

Claude Barras

Countries

Switzerland, France

Voice Cast

Gaspard Schlatter, Sixtine Murat, Paulin Jaccound, Michel Vuillermoz, Paul Ribera, Estelle Hennard, Elliot Sanchez, Lou Wick

Storyline

After losing his mother, Courgette (Gaspard Schlatter) is sent to a foster home with other orphans his age where he will learn the meaning of trust and love. 

Opinion

Among all of this year's Best Animated Picture nominees, I have to say that My Life as a Zucchini was the one that intrigued me the most because it looked different from the others. And it is very different and in a very good way. This is a quirky, funny, touching and emotional without being sentimental stop-motion animated film. In other words, a film everyone should see.

Especially kids of all ages because the filmmakers took a sad, heavy-hearted story and turned it into a light-hearted and very simple tale that has a lot to teach, both to the little one and the adults. By following Courgette, we also get to learn the meaning of unconditional love, trust and friendship.

The film also shows the suffering of children in foster care without being too dark or depressing. It shows that not all the kids in foster homes are being abused, and most important, it shows that there's always hope and it teaches the importance of having a family.

My Life as a Zucchini is also a very sweet and tender love story between two kids and as such, it shows what pure love looks like, and has a lot to teach to adults.

Then, there are nice and developed characters that are brought to life by the voices of a fantastic cast - I really suggest watching it in French because of how good the actors are - and some stunning animation. Everything is beautiful, from the characters to the backgrounds, not to mention the colours. Non-stop animation is just perfect for this little gem.