French Oscar Nominated Animated Film "My Life as a Zucchini" A Must See for Mature Audiences

This captivating & emotionally sitrring "My Life as a Zucchini" is an animated movie that broaches horrific subjects such as child abuse & abandonment with an artful tenderness mostly due to the artful, stop motion cartoon handicraft and alluring design.  The wide eyed innocence of the children softens painful & taboo topics.  The film first shows colorful, childlike artwork.  These are drawings made by the 9 year old protagonist, Icare.  Icare prefers to be called "Zucchini."  His mother called him Zucchini when she wasn't in a drunken rage or stupor.  After spanning the colorful drawings the camera zooms in on Zucchini coloring on his homemade kite.   He gleefully flies the kite from his bedroom window.  This joyous abandon is short-lived.  His mother becomes enraged by the clamour of beer cans tumbling down the stairs from a toppled structure Zucchini built to amuse himself.  He apologizes but his mother storms the stairs to his attic room threatening him with a severe spanking.  In a panic, Zucchini releases the latch to the opening & we hear heavy thuds.  Next, the scene shifts to Zucchini sitting before an officer asking him questions.  The officer gently explaining it's not possible for him to be returned to his mother.  It is this policeman that drives Zucchini to a group home in the countryside.  The children living here have been beaten, abused, neglected.  Some have witnessed dreadful atrocities. The officer promises to return to visit & he is true to his word.  He grows protective of Zucchini & his newfound friends. The home is a haven of kindly adults and welcoming kids.  Simon, an older & wiser boy is at times a bully but he proves himself a leader with the other's best interests at heart.  The film is directed by Claude Barras (b France 1973) based on the book by Gilles Paris (b Switzerland 1959.)  the film is a visual delight and it's reigning message is one of hope, kindness & love.  There is a visually magical snow trip the for the kids.  Humor is found in Simon's sexual education to the younger boys.  And, the growing affection between Zucchini, Camille and the policeman will melt even the coldest heart.  "My Life as a Zucchini" is a life affirming animated  work of art filled with depth & charm.  At the end, the children at the home press their teacher about her newborn.  Would she abandon him if …?  The film ask many hard questions and provides shimmering glimpses of the beauty found in humanity.