A tender, devastating stop-motion drama that turns a bleak premise into something humane and quietly hopeful. It’s brief, emotionally precise, and especially rewarding if you like heartfelt coming-of-age stories that balance grief with warmth and dark humor.
After his mother’s death, Zucchini is befriended by a kind police officer, Raymond, who accompanies him to his new foster home filled with other orphans his age. There, with the help of his newfound friends, Zucchini eventually learns to trust and love as he searches for a new family of his own.
Director
Claude Barras
Production
Gébéka Films, Rita Productions, Blue Spirit, KNM, RTS, SRG SSR
A tender, devastating stop-motion drama that turns a bleak premise into something humane and quietly hopeful. It’s brief, emotionally precise, and especially rewarding if you like heartfelt coming-of-age stories that balance grief with warmth and dark humor.
Best for
viewers who like emotional animated films with real dramatic weight
fans of orphan/found-family stories
people who appreciate stop-motion craft
audiences open to a sad-but-ultimately hopeful tearjerker
Skip if
you want light, purely playful animation
you’re avoiding stories about child neglect, grief, or abuse
you prefer plot-heavy films over intimate character studies
Overview
My Life as a Zucchini is a small film with an unusually large heart. It begins in grief and loneliness, but it never feels exploitative; instead, it observes children with patience, humor, and a deep respect for their resilience. The stop-motion style gives the characters a handmade fragility that fits the story perfectly.
Worth noting
What makes it linger is the balance. It can be heartbreaking in one moment and disarmingly funny in the next, without losing its emotional honesty. The foster-home setting becomes a place where damaged kids slowly learn how to trust each other, and that process feels earned rather than sentimental.
Bottom line
At just over an hour, it wastes nothing. The film’s compassion is its greatest strength, and it lands with the force of something much larger than its runtime suggests. If you’re willing to be moved, this is one of the most affecting animated dramas of its decade.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Salam Bustanji (4★) · 9514 likes
“Unless you abandon him” “I️ would never” “Even…even if he’s ugly?” “Even if he smells bad?” “Even if he cries all the time?” “Even if he wets the bed?” “Even if he’s bad at school?” “Even if he’s dumb?” “Even if he eats like a pig” “Even if he forgets his name, and his feet are stinky?” “Even if he’s super-annoying, and won’t stop screaming?” “Even if he farts?” “Even if he scribbles on the walls?” “Even if he wants
DirkH (5★) · 8032 likes
A zucchini has no real flavour of its own. When combined with the right ingredients and treated properly it takes on all flavours surrounding it, thus becoming part of the whole. This is a metaphor, I'm not suggesting you should eat children. Also watch this film. And be good to those you love. And to those you don't love. Just watch this film ok?
Lucy (3.5★) · 6574 likes
lumps of clay that speak french made me cry?????
amaya (3★) · 4335 likes
zucchini more like onion haha cuz you know im crying