Little Jesus () is a 2023 Canadian-French co-produced comedy film, directed by Julien Rigoulot.Corinne Renou-Nativel, "« Petit Jésus », les miracles de Louis". La Croix, July 12, 2023. The film stars Antoine Bertrand as Jean, a recently divorced father who becomes convinced that his son Louis (Esteban Azuara Eymard) is the Second Coming of Jesus.Fabien Lemercier, "Antoine Bertrand soon to star in Petit Jésus". Cineuropa, April 26, 2022.
Cast Loulou, a ten-year-old boy • Esteban Azuara Eymard Jean, Loulou's father • Antoine Bertrand Alice, Loulou's mother • Caroline Anglade Bernard, Jean's father • Gérard Darmon Rémy, a priest • Bruno Sanches Hakim, a lawyer and Jean's friend • Youssef Hajdi Judge • Ludivine de Chastenet Dr. Essaïdi • Lisa Brebion
Production Shooting took place from 30 May through 7 July 2002 in the area of Perpignan, France.
Release The film opened in French theatres in July 2023."Cinéma : «Yo Mama», «Petit Jésus»... ces 4 comédies françaises à voir en juillet". CNews, July 6, 2023. It had its Canadian premiere at the 2023 Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival."Sudbury-shot 'traumedy' to be a Cinefest special presentation", The Sudbury Star, July 27, 2023
Reception David Brejon found the film funny, poetic, and moving, awarding it 3 stars.
Writing for Première, Thierry Chèze gave the film 2 stars for not really delivering enough on the film's interesting premise.
Writing for Bulles de culture, Antoine Corte praised the scenic backdrop and the direction of a child actor in his first role in the director's first film, but faulted what he considered lazy characterization (Gérard Darmon's character is a carbon-copy of his role in La Flamme) and a comic religious story that makes little impact.
Writing foe Télérama, Frédéric Strauss criticized the film's pacing, its treatment of Loulou as a circus animal surrounded by childish characters, and what he called its mockery of the Catholic Church.
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