The Hedgehog

"Let Life In."

2009 1h 40m FR

👍

7.2

SOLID

★7.2TMDB · 428

ComedyDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Paloma is a serious and highly articulate but deeply bored 11-year-old who has decided to kill herself on her 12th birthday. Fascinated by art and philosophy, she questions and documents her life and immediate circle, drawing trenchant and often hilarious observations on the world around her. But as her appointment with death approaches, Paloma finally meets some kindred spirits in her building's grumpy janitor and an enigmatic, elegant neighbor, both of whom inspire Paloma to question her rather pessimistic outlook on life.

“Let Life In.”

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Cast

Josiane Balasko
Renée Michel
Garance Le Guillermic
Paloma Josse
Togo Igawa
Kakuro Ozu
Anne Brochet
Solange Josse
Ariane Ascaride
Manuela Lopez
Wladimir Yordanoff
Paul Josse
Sarah Le Picard
Colombe Josse
Jean-Luc Porraz
Jean-Pierre, tramp

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Mona Achache
Writers: Mona Achache
Languages: Japanese, French
Countries: France, Italy

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 17 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Japanese, French.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: France, Italy.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Mona Achache, shot by Patrick Blossier. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Gabriel Yared. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Julia Grégory shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Josiane Balasko and Garance Le Guillermic and Togo Igawa carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Let Life In.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Mona Achache directs. Patrick Blossier behind the camera. Gabriel Yared scores. Julia Grégory cuts. Produced in France, Italy. Dialogue in Japanese, French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 17 years ago.
2Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Japanese, French.
3International production across 2 countries: France, Italy.
4Directed by Mona Achache, shot by Patrick Blossier. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Gabriel Yared. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Julia Grégory shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Josiane Balasko and Garance Le Guillermic and Togo Igawa carry the top of the cast.
8Marketing tagline: "Let Life In.".
9IMDB entry: tt1442519 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Classified under 10 themes, including "goldfish", "death of neighbor", "bookcase", "parisian".