What It’s About
Born into a Belgian family living in Japan in the 1960s, Amelie (Charpentier) starts life unresponsive until a series of events awakens her to the world. Suddenly precocious, she drinks in her surroundings with devoted nanny Nishio-san (Grosbois). She experiences life’s darker side in cold landlady Kashima-san (Fujimori), whose grim war experience makes her dislike Westerners. Amelie also learns about impermanence when she experiences a death in the family, and confronts the prospect of one day leaving Japan.
Why We Love It
Rendered in vibrant, pastel-hued 2D animation, “Little Amelie” owes more to the meticulous, hand-drawn work of Hayao Miyazaki than to Pixar. This sensitive, deeply felt story of one small child’s voyage of discovery will transport viewers of all ages, weaving in serious elements like war and death with a light, deft touch. Oscar-nominated for Best Animated Feature, “Amelie” combines stunning visual beauty with a warm humanity that will leave you smiling.