Six-year-old Cléo loves her nanny, Gloria, more than anything. When Gloria must return to Cape Verde to care for her own children, the two must make the most of their last summer together.

In her solo-feature directorial debut, based on her co-authored screenplay, Marie Amachoukeli displays the careful observation of a masterful auteur in how she captures both the complex situation of Gloria, called back to a family that has grown without her but needs her more than ever, and Cléo, too young and loving to say goodbye to another mother. The striking power of this beautiful film is in the loving relationship between Gloria and Cléo, made more real by the incredible performance of 6-year-old Louise Mauroy-Panzani as Cléo, who gives a nuanced performance unlike any other this year.—SS