polisse

Polisse is a 2011 French drama film directed by Maïwenn Le Besco. It centers on the Paris Police Prefecture’s Child Protection Unit (Brigade de Protection des Mineurs) as investigators confront crimes against minors. Employing a semi-documentary, cinéma vérité approach, the film interweaves multiple case threads with the personal and professional pressures faced by the officers, highlighting the emotional toll of handling abuse and trauma.

The film features an ensemble cast portraying police officers, social workers, and prosecutors as they pursue leads, interview suspects, and support victims. The narrative unfolds through loosely connected vignettes that converge on a central investigation, while capturing tensions within the unit and its interactions with families and the media. The structure emphasizes character realism and procedural detail rather than a single, linear plot.

Polisse premiered at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize. It was released in France in May 2011 and received broadly positive reviews for its raw, unflinching portrayal of difficult subjects, the performances, and Maïwenn’s direction. Critics often noted the film’s documentary feel and its ability to balance procedural investigation with the human impact on officers and victims.

Reception and analysis emphasize Polisse’s contribution to discussions about child protection work and the ethical considerations of depicting abuse on screen. The film is regarded as a significant entry in contemporary French cinema and helped establish Maïwenn as a filmmaker capable of tackling complex, issue-driven drama.