THE MOST PRECIOUS OF CARGOES
De / from:
Michel Hazanavicius
Avec / with :
StudioCanal, O'Brother Distribution, Garsu Pasaulio Irasai, Danaos Cinema, Frenetic Films, StudioCanal Germany, Dutch FilmWorks, StudioCanal, Kino Świat, Alambique, Vertigo Media, Bteam Pictures
Durée en minutes / Runtime :
81 min
Genre :
History, Drama
Langue / language :
French/ English subtitles
Pays / Country :
France, Belgique
Au Cinéma le / In theaters :
Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 11 a.m.
Date de sortie / Release date :
Release date (Quebec): December 20, 2024
Once upon a time, a poor woodcutter and his wife lived in a great forest. Cold, hunger, poverty and a war raging all around them meant their lives were very hard. One day the woodcutter’s wife rescues a baby. A baby thrown from one of the many trains that constantly pass through the forest. This baby, this “most precious of cargoes”, will transform the lives of the poor woodcutter’s wife and her husband, as well as those whose paths the child will cross, including the man who threw her from the train. And some will try to protect her, whatever the cost.
Queens Film Theatre
- Director Michel Hazanavicius finds a poignant way to address not only the horrors of the Holocaust, but the kindness that combated it, crafting an indelible parable destined to be watched and shared by generations to come.
Variety
- There is no denying the contemporary relevance of the themes of man’s inhumanity given our present-day litany of atrocities, conflict and refugee crises as well as the dehumanization of many societies. Eye for film More than anything, though, the movie stresses that every single life is sacred. It doesn’t shy away from the ugly realities of the Holocaust, like the eerie animation of the train passengers’ faces. But it also won’t let us forget that the victims were real people with families, hopes, and dreams, just like us. Even one small act of mercy, like taking in that abandoned baby girl, could honor their memory in a small way.
(…)
- In the end, The Most Precious of Cargoes proves to be a poignant and memorable film. Though not without some missteps, Hazanavicius’ adaptation honors the difficult subject matter with artistic elegance and impactful emotional resonance. Its animated portrayal makes the film an especially worthy educational tool for sharing the lessons of the Holocaust with new audiences.
Gazettely
- Cannes Film Festival 2024
- National Animation Film Festival (Rennes) 2025: Winner of the André Martin Award for Best Feature Film
- Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2024: Opening film and part of the Official Selection
- André Martin Award — Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025
- Positive Cinema Award — Cannes Film Festival 2024