Ponette
Encyclopedia
Ponette is a 1996 French
film directed by Jacques Doillon
. The film centers on four-year-old Ponette (Victoire Thivisol
), who is coming to terms with the death of her mother. The film received acclaim for Thivisol's performance, who was only four at the time of filming.
Cinema of France
The Cinema of France comprises the art of film and creative movies made within the nation of France or by French filmmakers abroad.France is the birthplace of cinema and was responsible for many of its early significant contributions. Several important cinematic movements, including the Nouvelle...
film directed by Jacques Doillon
Jacques Doillon
Jacques Doillon is a French film director. He has a habit of giving lead roles to inexperienced young actresses in his films on family life and women...
. The film centers on four-year-old Ponette (Victoire Thivisol
Victoire Thivisol
Victoire Thivisol is a film actress.She first gained acclaim for her role as a child coping with her mother's death in the 1996 film, Ponette and became the youngest actress to win the Volpi Cup Best Actress Award at the Venice Film Festival...
), who is coming to terms with the death of her mother. The film received acclaim for Thivisol's performance, who was only four at the time of filming.
Story
Ponette's mother dies in a car crash, which Ponette herself survives with only a broken arm (she consequently must wear an arm cast). After her mother's death, her father (Xavier Beauvois) leaves Ponette with her Aunt Claire (Claire Nebout), and her cousins Matiaz (Matiaz Bureau Caton) and Delphine (Delphine Schiltz). Ponette becomes increasingly withdrawn, and spends most of her time waiting for her mother to come back. When waiting alone fails, Ponette enlists the help of her school friend Ada (Léopoldine Serre) to help her become a "child of God" to hopefully convince God to return her mother.Awards
- Critics Prize 1996 São Paulo International Film FestivalSão Paulo International Film FestivalThe São Paulo International Film Festival is a film festival held annually in São Paulo, Brazil since 1976. In 2004 Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami was a member of the jury.-International Jury Award:*2001: The New Country ...
- Best Foreign Film 1997 New York Film Critics Circle
- Volpi Cup for Best Actress – Victoire Thivisol – 1996 Venice Film FestivalVenice Film FestivalThe Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
, Thivisol was the youngest actress ever to win the best actress award.