Do not be alarmed, but this is not the bright sunshine-filled movie you may at first believe from the posters or from the cute title of My Life As A Courgette. For on closer inspection you see the stop-motion characters are scarred both on the inside and out. However, that isn’t to say there aren’t rays of hope in this animation, but it’s put alongside a more telling truth of children who’ve been hurt, are trying to heal and to trust again.
Opening on the titular character we’re introduced to the little boy Courgette, his alcoholic and abusive mother having called him by this, and in holding onto it – he shows a want still of her love. Living in the attic, so as to possibly avoid any chance of his mum’s quick anger, Courgette clings to a sense of childhood innocence. His loneliness and vulnerability self-evident in his deep attachment to a paper kite – which in his mind is a tangible object of an invisible dad – his stick-like figure drawn onto it with crayons; emphasising the fact Courgette is a child. This is further displayed by him collecting his mother’s empty beer cans and adding them to an already tall pile; all so he can play with them. It’s a stark display of a child being able to find joy in anything, whilst showing the mum’s ineptitude, the explosive risk she presents, and in the tin cans height – how long he’s been living like this. But despite Courgette’s quiet presence in the house, and his need to please his mum, in a moment of self-defence his life changes and with it his fragile childhood is at further risk of being lost, or it could just be saved.
© 2016 – RITA PRODUCTIONS / BLUE SPIRIT PRODUCTIONS / GEBEKA FILMS / KNM / RTS SSR / FRANCE 3 CINEMA / RHONES-ALPES CINEMA / HELIUM FILMS
From this powerful opening scene, My Life as a Courgette moves to the mainstay of an orphanage, where thankfully they break with many an old-fashioned stereotype; the staff aren’t horrible but caring; the kids are orphans but not necessarily in the sense that their parents are dead; they’re not uncontrollable monsters or completely sweet angels – but just kids. The movie shows this time and again, but also how they’re let down by the world, are perceived by it and just need love. Through these changes to the usual orphanage tropes, the film tries to give Courgette new chances of happiness; from mini adventures, first crushes and school trips. But don’t be fooled there isn’t a bright-coloured rainbow that covers all the dark patches of their lives – the reminders are still there, the film’s pacing showing the impact these experiences have on the children, and a glimpse of how it may affect them in years to come.
© 2016 – RITA PRODUCTIONS / BLUE SPIRIT PRODUCTIONS / GEBEKA FILMS / KNM / RTS SSR / FRANCE 3 CINEMA / RHONES-ALPES CINEMA / HELIUM FILMS
My Life as a Courgette is the first feature film by Claude Barras, and a strong directorial debut. Having worked in perfect partnership with writer Céline Sciamma, they’ve produced an animation that carefully handles the subjects of physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and abandonment. This is mainly achieved by having the children tell their stories, which in doing so carries more emotional impact and weight. However, its heavy subject matter never leaves you to feel drowned, for the kids are trying to thrive and it’s that hope that’s most appealing in the film. Captivating, My Life as a Courgette leaves you wanting to know more, and though its ending may be argued to be predictable – this could also be due to our optimism in wanting something good to happen in their lives.
Although focused on the children, the film’s most beautiful lines come from an adult who explains that not all parents leave their children. (This reveal did make me think slightly of replacement love, but this isn’t the intended message). Throughout the film, there’s a telling of our need to give and have love – illustrated by the children trying to fill and mend the hearts of each other.
© 2016 – RITA PRODUCTIONS / BLUE SPIRIT PRODUCTIONS / GEBEKA FILMS / KNM / RTS SSR / FRANCE 3 CINEMA / RHONES-ALPES CINEMA / HELIUM FILMS
As beautiful to look at as the story it tells, My Life As A Courgette is a film staple for any age – teaching us to be a bit kinder, to see both the love and hurt inside, and more importantly to protect and treasure childhood before it’s gone.
Director: Claude Barras
Writer: Céline Sciamma
Other notable works:
- Petite Maman 2021
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire 2019
- Being 17 2016
- Tomboy 2011
Based on Autobiographie d’une Courgette by Gilles Paris.
