tech
February 11, 2026
Little Amélie review
Based on a 2000 novella, this sweet animation follows a young girl who wakes from a vegetative state on the verge of feral, but begins to bond with others after an intervention by her grandmother

TL;DR
- The animation is a poignant study of early childhood, inspired by Amélie Nothomb's novella.
- The protagonist, Amélie, awakens from a vegetative state after an earthquake and becomes feral.
- Her grandmother's gift of white Belgian chocolate helps her develop into a biddable child.
- The family faces prejudice from their landlady due to wartime sentiments.
- Amélie must eventually leave Japan, which she considers her homeland.
- The animation blends European and Japanese styles.
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