Melissa, a photographer, is assigned to the Child Protection Unit in Paris to document their work. As she joins the team we get to see the multitude of cases the CPU handle, and get an insight into how their work affects their own home lives and relationships. Written and directed by French actress Maiwenn (who plays Melissa), Polisse is based on real cases she observed whilst researching the film; at times horrifying, at times heartbreaking, and at times darkly comic, always gripping. The vérité style and semi-improvised dialogue gives a documentary feel, despite one mis-step at the end, this is vital, intelligent filmmaking.