My Life as a Zucchini: The Animated Life of a Swiss Boy

By Jose Alberto Hermosillo

 

“My Life as a Zucchini” is the most stunning film of the year! It is a heartfelt stop-motion animation that is both colorful and sweet, yet gentle. This skillfully crafted coming-of-age Swiss film is suitable for children of all ages.

The animated story follows the journey of an introverted nine-year-old orphan named Icarus. His mother nicknamed him Zucchini, and Icarus proudly keeps the nickname to honor his mother’s memory ever since. 

 

Zucchini is the wallflower type of kid who is also an excellent storyteller, sharing his experiences through drawings.  

 

His big eyes are two transparent windows reflecting his soul’s purity, emotions, and real feelings.

 

Zucchini, photo by Jose Hermosillo, © 2016 Festival in LA

Those big eyes reveal when Zucchini feels lonely, sad, depressed, nostalgic, jealous, happy, or in love with his new friends. Zucchini once said, “Sometimes, we also cry for happiness...” 

 

Zucchini has to come to terms with his mother’s passing with the help of Raymond, the supportive cop, who tells him that his mother is already in heaven and that she is okay. There is no need for guilt.

 

Claude Barras, Director of “My Life as a Zucchini,” photo by Jose Hermosillo, © 2016 Festival in LA

 

Director Claude Barras shares how his childhood relates to these magical characters. He’s inspired by classics like “The 400 Blows,” “Nobody’s Boy: Remi,” “Heidi,” and “Bambi.”

Zucchini and his friends share one thing in common: they all lost their parents under specific circumstances.

Barras explains that, no matter how obscure the story, we always find ways to address complex topics with children, much like the Brothers Grimm did in Germany with their dark stories, in their own captivating way.

Zucchini is a dark film that moves beyond simply showing a kid who kills his mother with a shotgun. Such tragic stories occur almost every day in real life; few people discuss them.

“My Life as a Zucchini” is a faithful adaptation of Gilles Paris’s autobiography. Screenwriter Celine Sciamma (“Tomboy”) crafted an elegant and subtle screenplay. She understood the story needed to be suitable for children of all ages, so she created a less frightening version based on the writer’s experiences.

At the Fountain’s Foster Home, Zucchini and his “diverse” friends come from different backgrounds, representing the critical need for inclusion and diversity in cinema.

The Zucchini gang teaches us a powerful lesson: “No matter how tough life gets, there’s always hope for a better future.”

 

The Magnificent Seven

Simone is the red-headed, sloppy boy who knows everyone’s story. Ahmed is the life of the party. Jujube is the chubby, gluttonous or hypochondriac. Alice is the shy blonde who hides behind her hair.

 The gentle African girl is Beatrice. And Camille is everyone’s sweetheart, a proactive, confident, lovable girl. The ten-inch-tall puppets were beautifully handcrafted and came to life in a realistic but straightforward form. The dolls were made of latex, silicone, wires, and fabrics.  

Zucchini and his collection of mouths. Photo by Jose Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA

The ten-inch-tall puppets were beautifully handcrafted and brought to life in a simple yet realistic manner. The dolls were made from latex, silicone, wires, and fabrics.

 

Camille and her collection of lips. Photo by Jose Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA

When the puppets needed a wardrobe change for the next scene, the production paused for the night.

 

 

The director and his crew hand-painted the minimalist, handcrafted sets. The art direction and precise editing ensure that audiences move smoothly through the movie.

Without sugar coating, “My Life as a Zucchini” draws the viewer from start to finish. The story flows well with reasonable continuity, a steady pace, and satisfying surprises.

 

Max Karli & Pauline Gygax are the producers of “My Life as a Zucchini.” Photo by Jose Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA

 

Professional and non-professional child actors were cast for the characters’ voices. The children were placed in an actual setting to interact with each other, allowing them to naturally express their emotions.

 

The filmmakers recorded the dialogue during the action, which sometimes intentionally caused their voices to overlap, making the soundtrack more realistic.

 

Director and producers. Photo by Jose Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA

This original animated film is Switzerland’s official entry for the 2017 Academy Awards for best foreign-language film. It also qualifies as a best-animated feature, and it is very likely to receive Oscar nominations in both categories.

 

 

The film’s most emotional moments are when the children discuss adoption, helping them grow emotionally. As Simon says, “Adoptions with older kids happen rarely.” Children have to be okay with saying a simple goodbye and treasuring the sweetest memories of their friendship.

 

Film critic Jose Hermosillo, Director Claude Barras, © 2016 Festival in LA

 

“Zucchini” skillfully captured many gratifying moments for both children and adults, created by the talented puppeteer.

“My Life as a Zucchini” left my heart with mixed feelings. It also makes me think about how chaotic and beautiful life can be when we are kids.

 

“My Life as a Zucchini” trailer:

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Copyright © Festival in LA, 2016