Precocious Belgian Girl Navigates '60s Japan in Acclaimed Animated Film

"Little Amélie or the Character of Rain," a 2D animated film that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, offers a captivating look at a young Belgian girl's coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of 1960s Japan. Based on a semi-autobiographical novel by Amélie Nothomb, the movie follows the titular character, a precocious child who believes herself to be a god, as she grapples with her identity as someone attached to the culture of her adopted home while also confronting death and real complex human feelings for the first time.

The film, the feature directorial debut of French filmmakers Mailys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, blends French and Japanese animation styles to create a visually stunning work that immerses the audience in Amélie's unique perspective. Inspired by the "Japonisme" art movement and the filmmakers' own childhood memories of Japanese animation, the movie's vibrant colors and impressionistic hand-drawn aesthetic bring Amélie's world to life.

Through Amélie's narration and the film's symbolic, dreamlike sequences, "Little Amélie" offers a poignant exploration of early childhood, identity, and the power of human connection. The result is a captivating and emotionally resonant animated feature that is sure to leave a lasting impression on audiences.