Overview
A young girl's idyllic childhood is turned upside down by political upheaval and family drama.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- wistful
- warm
- thoughtful family viewing
- historical cinema night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a sharply observed, humane, and engaging childhood-centered political drama with strong performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Nine-year-old Anna narrates ideological arguments and political vocabulary through the loss of familiar routines and privileges.
Fernando and Marie's move toward communism affects their home, parenting, schooling choices, and tensions with Bordeaux grandparents.
The film locates debates about Franco, Allende, women's liberation, and abortion within apartments, family visits, childcare, and school life.
Anna mourns the large house, Cuban nanny, baths before dinner, and Catholic catechism after her family's political and social reorientation.
Films like Blame It on Fidel!, and why
The White Ribbon
child's-eye historical perspective, political awakening, family upheaval
Persepolis
young protagonist navigating adult ideological and social conflict
The Spirit of the Beehive
warmly observed childhood perspective amid changing political values
Movie Details
- Director
- Julie Gavras
- Release Date
- 2006-11-29
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (72)
Cast
- Julie Depardieu
- Nina Kervel-Bey
- Stefano Accorsi
- Flore Vannier-Moreau
- Benjamin Feuillet
- Martine Chevallier
- Olivier Perrier
- Marie Kremer
- Raphaël Personnaz
- Mar Sodupe
Common questions
- What is Blame It on Fidel! about?
- A privileged nine-year-old confronts political radicalization when her parents' new convictions overturn the comfortable world she understands.
- What is Blame It on Fidel! like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Blame It on Fidel! as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Blame It on Fidel! violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Blame It on Fidel!.
- What did critics think of Blame It on Fidel!?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a sharply observed, humane, and engaging childhood-centered political drama with strong performances.
- Which films are like Blame It on Fidel!?
- Films with a similar feel include The White Ribbon, Persepolis, and The Spirit of the Beehive.
- How long is Blame It on Fidel!?
- Blame It on Fidel! runs 99 minutes.
