My Life as a Zucchini
Stop-Motion Animation. 2017. 66 min. Claude Barras. GKIDS. Switzerland/France. English.* PG-13.
*Available in the original French language with English subtitles.
Recommended Age: 13+
After his mother’s accidental death, a boy nicknamed Zucchini arrives at a group foster home. Zucchini struggles to find a place amongst the quirky clan of fellow foster kids, until one day newcomer, Camille, arrives and changes Zucchini and the rest of the children’s lives. Directed by debut filmmaker Claude Barras and written by writer/director Céline Sciamma (Tomboy, Girlhood), this French stop-motion-animation explores the sorrows and laughter of life, and the unexpected resiliency, wisdom, and love children are capable of even in the most difficult of situations.
Educational Themes: Adoption, Coming of Age, Community, Healing, Resilience, Trauma
Content Advisory: PG-13 rating for references to characters’ difficult pasts, including alcoholic, criminal, and abusive family members, as well as childlike discussion of sexual situations.
Read Common Sense Media’s review to learn more about whether this film is right for your students.
Questions? Contact us at education@burnsfilmcenter.org
