Directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, Amélie and the Metaphysics of Tubes is a French animated film based on the autobiographical novel Metaphysics of Tubes by Amélie Nothomb. Co-written by the two filmmakers, the film features the voices of Loïse Charpentier, Victoria Grosbois, and Isaac Schoumsky. Marketed as a family-friendly movie suitable for children aged six and up, it hits theaters on June 25, 2025, marking the directors’ debut feature as a team.
Born in Belgium but raised in Japan, young Amélie explores the world with boundless curiosity. Thanks to her nanny Nishio-san, her daily life turns into a landscape of adventures filled with play, rituals, and sensory discoveries. From a child's perspective, Japan becomes a place both familiar and mysterious, enriched by simple gestures and deep emotional bonds.
But on her third birthday, an event shatters this fragile balance. For Amélie, this age signals a turning point: a sudden awareness of herself, happiness, and loss emerges with startling clarity. The film follows this personal coming-of-age, weaving a delicate blend of wonder and tragedy, all while staying true to the child's perspective, without attempting to explain the complexities of the adult world around her.
The project stems from a pivotal moment for Liane-Cho Han, who discovered Amélie Nothomb’s novel at the age of 19. Years later, she shared her passion for adapting the story with Maïlys Vallade, whom she met during Mark Osborne’s The Little Prince. After an initial phase of graphic and narrative development, the filmmakers secured the blessing of both Nothomb and her publisher, Albin Michel. This collaboration gave rise to the first animated adaptation of the writer’s work.
The film takes a clear, intentional stance: it remains consistently child’s-eye view. Certain aspects of the novel, particularly the relationship with the father, were deliberately left out to focus the story more tightly on the bond between Amélie and Nishio-san. The voice-over, conceived as a voice from the future, required careful reconstruction, involving several actresses to accurately convey the heroine’s age and emotional depth.
Visually, Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han draw heavily on Japanese animation influences, particularly the works of Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki. Rounded shapes, pastel colors, and watercolor textures create a gentle, sensory-rich universe. The sets depicting Japan of the 1960s and 1970s, especially Kobe, have been meticulously reconstructed from the memories described in the book, all while preserving a touch of whimsy rooted in childhood innocence.
Premiered during the Special Screenings at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Amélie and the Metaphysics of Tubes also made a splash at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where it took home the audience award. The film has further earned recognition by being nominated for both the Golden Globes and the 2026 Lumières Awards in the Best Animated Feature category.
Amélie and the Metaphysics of Tubes
Animated film | 2025
Release date in theaters: June 25, 2025
Animation | Duration: 1h18
Directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han | Starring Loïse Charpentier, Victoria Grosbois, Isaac Schoumsky
Country: France
Delicately crafted and introspective, Amélie and the Metaphysics of Tubes delves into the foundational emotions of childhood—attachment, loss, and awakening to the world. Through its sensitive approach and inspired visuals, the film fits within a tradition of auteur animation that appeals to both young audiences and adults alike.
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