Cerise (2015)

In the poignant and transformative story of Cerise, we journey alongside this fiery 14-year-old French girl as she is sent away from her familiar world to Ukraine. This drastic move is a consequence of her unmanageable behavior in school, a punishment orchestrated by her mother and executed by her estranged father, Fred. As Cerise navigates this foreign land amidst the backdrop of the Maidan rebellion, her life intertwines in a tumultuous dance of adolescence, rebellion and discovery. Fred, a butcher entangled in a gangster-owned slaughterhouse, initially mistakes his own daughter for a potential conquest upon her arrival. His life, filled with work, women, and a penchant for alcohol, leaves little room for paternal duties. This void, however, is filled by Nina, Fred's caretaker, with whom Cerise forms an unforeseen yet powerful maternal bond. It is under Nina's wing that Cerise begins to truly experience the world beyond her past rebellious antics. The complexity of Cerise's new life in Ukraine is further heightened as she navigates school and the attention of Mikita, a local boy. Despite his interest, Cerise remains distracted, her heart and mind captivated by Kyril. But life throws yet another curveball when Fred lands in trouble with his gangster bosses, compelling Cerise to summon undreamt courage and wits to rescue her father. Cerise's journey is not just a physical relocation but a voyage of transformation and growth, punctuated by vivid dreams that mirror her aspirations. She envisions herself in music videos like her favorite singer and imagines a life as a soldier. These dreams serve as a testament to her metamorphosis in Ukraine, a change as believable as it is profound. As the story reaches its climax, Cerise boards a flight back to France with a promise to return, leaving behind a trail of newfound friendships and a version of herself forever etched in Ukraine.

Cerise is a comedy movie featuring Zoé Adjani and directed by Jérôme Enrico.

It is possible to buy Cerise on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.