Parents' Guide to

Le Pupille

By Joly Herman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Artsy short set in Italian orphanage questions authority.

TV Disney+ Drama 2023
Le Pupille short: poster image, showing four children's head poking above a table, looking at a cake

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • Le Pupille: a group of children look out a window with shutters
  • Le Pupille: a group of children appear to be in a painting, floating in the air
  • Le Pupille: a group of about 20 children stand on stairs, dressed in winter clothes

Community Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 1 parent review

Oz020175
Oz020175 Parent of 12-year-old
February 13, 2023
age 8+

Underwhelming, but good for little ones

It was okay. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but the result was underwhelming. I was expecting more of a "Home Alone" where the girls go and steal the cake, but the cake gets destroyed in the end. Good movie for little kids though.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In LE PUPILLE, the girls in an Italian orphanage are preparing for the Christmas pageant, during which the townspeople come to ask for prayers on their behalf. A mysterious lady in a fur coat and jewels appeals to them, setting off a chain of events that shakes up the sense of order in the orphanage. Will the girls be able to behave when called upon to do so? Or will temptation get the better of them?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Flinty and delightful, this art-house short captures the sparks that dance in the human spirit during times of scarcity. On its surface, the minimalist direction of Alice Rohrwacher (Happy as Lazzaro) successfully delivers a delicious punch line. But behind the constraints of life in a threadbare, orderly orphanage shines the grin of rebellion.

Younger teens might not enjoy the nuances delivered in Le Pupille as a 40-minute film, but older teens and adults who dig foreign or cerebral shows will find this tidy production satisfying.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • In Le Pupille, characters exhibit self-control when performing in a Christmas tableau. What do you think would happen if they lost control?

  • Characters help each other within the constraints of their situation. What other shows illustrate the character strength of compassion, and how can we learn from them?

  • People come to the orphan girls to ask them to pray for their loved ones. Why would people believe that the least powerful people (orphan girls) possess this kind of power?

TV Details

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