NYICFF ’26: My Life in Versailles

Violette is a thoroughly modern orphan. Her parents were murdered in a terrorist attack. The film never mentions who the perpetrators were. Maybe it was radical Unitarians. Regardless, Violette is now a ward of the state, but she will live with her Uncle Regis, as per her mother’s wish. He resides in one France’s stateliest homes: Versailles. Technically, he lives in cabin on the grounds, but she will largely have the run of the palace. She warms to it. She might just warm to him too in Clemence Madeleine-Perdrillat & Nathaniel H’limi’s animated feature, My Life in Versailles, the audience spotlight selection of the 2026 New York International Film Festival.

Violette’s parents were not on good terms with Regis, so she is definitely surprised to find herself entrusted to his care. He also smells like cleanser. Regis works as a custodian and maintenance man at Versailles, which his family looks down on. He knows nothing about parenting, but Violette would be tricky for anyone to handle, given her understandable baggage. Not so shockingly, she frequently runs away from home, back to her old flat in Paris. Yet, she eventually finds herself trying to convince the busybody social worker to allow her to stay.

Regis’s co-worker Olga also looks out for Violette. Even the ghost of Louis X1V isn’t so bad once she gets to know him. However, she still has a lot of grieving and healing to do. She also starts to understand Regis has a lot to work through, as well. In fact, she eventually understands him better than her parents or grandparents ever did.

Madeleine-Perdrillat’s screenplay is episodic but gently endearing. It also fully capitalizes on the romantic Versailles setting, exploring the palace’s secret passages and underground tunnels. The animation deliberately evokes the style of children’s book illustrations, but many of the richly detailed Versailles interiors are truly eye-popping.

The vivid colors pop off the screen, but Violette and Regis are cinematic in their own way, somewhat looking like Ludwig Bemelmans’ “Madeline” and Bluto from Popeye. However, the film never over-simplifies their family drama.

Arguably, My Life in Versailles is thoroughly French in the best possible way. It makes the palace come to life in ways reminiscent of the Met Museum in From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler or Eloise’s Plaza Hotel. It is all quite charming and maybe a bit more sophisticated than you might expect. Very highly recommended, My Life in Versailles screens again this Saturday (3/14) as part of this year’s NYICFF.