A review of the new French film “Petite Maman”
Just before the first lockdown in the long-running global pandemic, I saw the French-language “Portrait Of A Lady On Fire” which I loved. In spite of covid restrictions, the same team has now managed to produce the low-budget “Petite Maman” which I was quick to see while it was still in cinemas.
Again it is both written and directed by Céline Sciamma with cinematography by Claire Mathon. Again the two leading roles are females who establish a loving relationship. Again almost all the supporting roles are for women too. Truly Sciamma is the master of the female gaze.
What is different this time is that the main characters are eight year old girls with one insisting that she is the daughter of the other. The two actors are twins, Joséphine and Gabrielle Sanz, and they are so alike that helpfully Sciamma – who usually does her own costumes – has colour-coded their clothing. So is this fantasy or a dream or just a clever narrative device? Any way the film is enchanting – and, at a mere 73 minutes, a little gem.