Controversy Surrounding “La Petite Dernière” on Google

A Mislabeling That Caused Harm

Since the release of Hafsia Herzi’s latest film La Petite Dernière on October 22, a mistake on Google misinformed users by labeling the movie as “Restricted to audiences 18 and older.” The incorrect age rating created confusion and concern, especially given that the film is actually approved for general audiences. The error remained visible for several days, to the dismay of the film’s team.

Speaking with Libération, director and actress Hafsia Herzi voiced her frustration:

“It’s really upsetting. We don’t understand how this could happen. People messaged me on Instagram thinking I made an adult film, or saying they chose not to take their daughters after reading ‘18+ Only.’ It’s completely absurd.”

The film was presented on Google as a “Drama / Coming-of-Age story” with the added — and inaccurate — label of “18+ Only.” One hour after Libération‘s article was published, the search listing was finally corrected to reflect the accurate classification: “Approved for all audiences.”

Two Weeks of Fruitless Efforts

Prior to the correction, the film’s distributor, Ad Vitam, followed all of Google’s formal procedures to request an update to the listing. Despite Google’s confirmation that the change would be processed “quickly,” no action was taken for nearly two weeks.

During this time, the distribution team encountered numerous roadblocks, including inflexible automated systems and difficulty verifying their authority to make changes. As the delay persisted, the possibility of sending a formal legal notice was even considered.

Opaque Algorithms and Unverifiable Sources

According to Google’s official explanation, these “info boxes” are generated automatically via the company’s Knowledge Graph, which compiles data from a mix of web sources and trusted partners.

“Our information panels are created automatically based on our understanding of online content. Some data is provided by reputable partners, while other details come from various web sources.”

The issue? This lack of transparency makes it impossible to trace the original source of the misinformation. Neither film databases nor official movie platforms reflected any kind of age restriction. Only scattered comments from users speculated — incorrectly — that the film might contain adult content.

A Film Meant for Everyone, Tackling Important Issues

La Petite Dernière follows the journey of Fatima, a young woman from a working-class background who explores her sexual identity while navigating religious traditions and urban life. The lead role is played by Nadia Melliti.

There is absolutely nothing in the film that would warrant an age restriction. France’s national classification board did not impose any limited viewing categories — not for viewers under 12, 16, or 18 years of age.

“Labeling a coming-of-age film as ‘18+ only’ is just ridiculous,” joked Hafsia Herzi.

Damage Already Done

Even though the incorrect label has now been fixed, the impact may be lasting. Many potential viewers could have been discouraged from seeing the film, mistakenly believing it contained explicit scenes. For an independent film that depends heavily on online visibility, such a blow is difficult to quantify.

Despite this setback, La Petite Dernière continues to resonate with audiences, having reached over 250,000 admissions and playing on 424 screens across France. Today, the film is officially suitable for all audiences — and it would be a shame to miss this powerful, human-centered story simply due to an uninformed algorithm.

🟣 Key Takeaways

• Google incorrectly labeled La Petite Dernière as “18+ Only”.
• The error persisted for two weeks despite distributor efforts to correct it.
• The film contains no content that warrants an age restriction.
• The label was finally updated to “All Audiences”, but reputational damage was already done.