Poly: what age is it for?
11YRS
In France, zinema would say 11.
Watch the trailerthen where to watch it, in zinema
Alone, or with you
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not yetwith an adult, or to talk about afteralone
Alone from 11; from 10, with an adult or by talking about it afterwards.
What it's about
The adventures of Shetland pony Poly in the South of France.
Why 11
- An animal treated badlyThe heart of the story is a pony mistreated behind the scenes of a traveling circus. The abuse is mostly talked about and suggested rather than shown, but it comes back again and again, and it is what pushes the little girl to act. Sensitive animal lovers around 7 or 8 may need a hand to hold, and a word afterward that the pony is safe.said
- A villain who really scaresThe circus director is filmed as a genuine threat: raised voices, growls, chases, a few scuffles and moments where weapons are brandished to frighten. It stays within family adventure territory, no gore, but the tension is real for a while and several sequences happen at night or in the dark.shown
- Salty words, a few insultsAbout a dozen coarse words across the film, plus name calling between kids and adults (idiot, coward, shut your mouth). Nothing crude, but expect a couple of expressions your child may repeat.shown
- Grief in the backgroundA death in the family is spoken about several times, never shown. It gives the story its weight and explains the move and the loneliness of the girl. Worth a word if your child has lost someone.shown
- Adults smoke and drinkCigarettes and wine appear in a number of grown up scenes, presented as ordinary rather than glamorous. Small children notice it more than parents expect.shown
What the movie brings
- A child who takes responsibility for a living creature and holds her ground against adults.
- A gentle story about arriving somewhere new, being left out, and slowly finding your place.
- A friendship built on trust rather than words.
Watching it together
Before
Before you start, you can say that the circus man is mean to the pony but that Cecile will not let him win.
After
at 11 and up
Cecile decides to protect Poly even though the grown ups tell her not to. When is it right to disobey an adult?
See the facts
Creature, monster, strong villain●●● · shownmeasured
Pace●●● · shownmeasured
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A weapon shown or used●●○ · shownmeasured
Abandonment, separation, confinement●●○ · shownmeasured
Alcohol●●○ · shownmeasured
Cruelty, torture, abuse●●○ · saidmeasured
Death of a character●●○ · saidmeasured
Fighting, brawls●●○ · shownmeasured
Frightening imagery●●○ · shownmeasured
Kissing, romantic gestures●●○ · shownmeasured
Long dark scenes, night, storm●●○ · shownmeasured
Mockery, humiliation, bullying●●○ · saidmeasured
Smoking●●○ · shownmeasured
Swearing●●○ · shownmeasured
Tense music or sound●●○ · shownmeasured
Visible injury, blood●●○ · shownmeasured
Density of dialogue●○○ · shownmeasured
Insults, hurtful words●○○ · shownmeasured
A zinema reading from September 7, 2026 · the whole movie, watched in full · the age by zinema's rules for the US and France, and a human reading · report an error · how this guide is made