The Sixth Child Explained

The Sixth Child
Native Name:
Director:Léopold Legrand
Cinematography:Julien Ramirez Hernan[1]
Editing:Catherine Schwartz[2]
Music:Louis Sclavis[3]
Distributor:Pyramide Distribution
Runtime:92 minutes[4]
Country:France
Language:French
Gross:$488,792[5]

The Sixth Child is a 2022 French drama film directed by Léopold Legrand in his feature debut, and co-written by Legrand and Catherine Paillé.[6] The film is loosely based on the 2018 novel Pleurer des rivières by Alain Jaspard.[7] It stars Sara Giraudeau, Benjamin Lavernhe, Damien Bonnard and Judith Chemla. It had its world premiere at the Angoulême Francophone Film Festival on 24 August 2022. It was released in France on 28 September 2022.

Synopsis

Franck and Meriem, a Roma couple, have five children and live in a caravan in Aubervilliers. Franck works as scrap dealer and struggles to earn enough income to support their family. Anna and Julien, both lawyers, are a couple who are unable to have children. One night, Franck unwittingly helps resell stolen scrap metal and, following a road accident, he loses his work van and finds himself accused of theft and risking a prison sentence. Julien successfully defends Franck in court, obtaining a suspended sentence. Julien also has his license revoked. Anna therefore comes to pick him up at the court and ends up driving Franck home. They discover his large family and their precarious living situation.

Shortly thereafter, Franck visits Julien at his office. He explains to him that Meriem is two months pregnant and that their religious convictions forbid abortion, but that they cannot afford to welcome a sixth child. Franck has debts and needs to buy a van. He and his wife believe that Julien and Anna would make good parents, and that in exchange, the couple could help them to get out of their difficult financial circumstance.

Production

The Sixth Child was produced by Frédéric Brillion and Gilles Legrand on behalf of Epithète Films in co-production with France 2 Cinéma. Filming took place from 12 April 2021 to 28 May 2021 in Paris.

Release

The film had its world premiere at the 15th Angoulême Francophone Film Festival on 24 August 2022.[8] The film was theatrically released in France on 28 September 2022 by Pyramide Distribution.[9]

Reception

Critical response

The Sixth Child received an average rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars on the French website AlloCiné, based on 27 reviews.[10]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)Result
Angoulême Francophone Film Festival28 August 2022Valois du meilleur scénarioLéopold Legrand and Catherine Paillé[11]
Valois de la meilleure actriceSara Giraudeau and Judith Chemla
Valois du publicThe Sixth Child
Valois de la musique du filmLouis Sclavis
César Awards24 February 2023Best First Feature FilmThe Sixth Child[12]
Best Supporting ActressJudith Chemla
Lumières Award16 January 2023Best First FilmThe Sixth Child[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Le sixième enfant. Pyramide Films. fr. 26 February 2023.
  2. News: 29 September 2022. Le Sixième enfant : un impensable arrangement entre deux couples réunis autour d'un même enfant. La Libre. fr. 26 February 2023.
  3. News: Vié. Caroline. 27 September 2022. Le Sixième enfant : Deux couples et un marché terrible autour d'un enfant. 20 minutes. fr. 26 February 2023.
  4. News: Bradfer. Fabienne. 4 October 2022. Le sixième enfant, petit arrangement avec le môme. Le Soir. fr. 26 February 2023. subscription.
  5. 21028846. The Sixth Child (2022). 26 February 2023.
  6. Web site: Léopold Legrand is finishing filming on The Sixth Child. Lemercier. Fabien. 20 May 2021. Cineuropa. 26 February 2023.
  7. News: Fabre. Clarisse. 28 September 2022. Le Sixième Enfant : deux femmes et un couffin. Le Monde. fr. 26 February 2023. subscription.
  8. Web site:
  9. News: Jaeglé. Yves. 27 September 2022. Le Sixième Enfant : un drame profondément humain porté par un casting exceptionnel. Le Parisien. fr. 26 February 2023.
  10. Web site: . Critiques Presse pour le film Le Sixième enfant . 17 May 2023 . fr.
  11. News: 28 August 2022. Festival du film francophone d'Angoulême : Le Sixième Enfant, sur le désir de maternité, rafle quatre prix. Le Parisien. AFP. fr. 26 February 2023.
  12. News: Roxborough. Scott. Vlessing. Etan. 24 February 2023. César Awards: 'The Night of the 12th' Named Best Picture. The Hollywood Reporter. 26 February 2023.
  13. News: Goodfellow. Melanie. 16 January 2023. Dominik Moll's 'The Night Of The 12th' & Albert Serra's 'Pacification' Lead Prizes At French Lumière Awards. Deadline. fr. 26 February 2023.