These are Oscar Shorts. You can download a PDF
pattern if you like.
OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS
Fitting all of these in made for a tough weekend. I feel like I used to love catching these screenings but it felt more like a slog this year. I don't know if I didn't connect as well with what new film makers are putting out or if I just wasn't in the right frame of mind.
Maybe the problem is I used to have a theatre just a few minutes from my house that played all of these but now I have to drive to Glendale and Burbank and this weekend the freeway interchange to Burbank was closed. It just all felt like a LOT of effort. Maybe the quickening of America's descent into autocracy is weighing on my mind. It's all guesswork at this point.
They said these were presented by Taika Waititi but he never showed up in the theatre, either live or on screen. How did he present them? Did he donate money or something? Very mysterious. Anyway...
DOCUMENTARY-
All the Empty Rooms - Steve Hartman was a journalist who often tried to offer something positive in the wake of a mass shooting; a story about a hero or a survivor or something optimistic. Until he realized he was part of a system that was helping society adjust to the aftermath rather than seek a change. Next he took on a project to document the empty rooms of school children who had died as a result of gun violence in schools. This is about that. It's deeply moving and well produced.
Armed Only With A Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud - Here we learn about Brent Renaud, an american photojournalist who has gone to all of the most dangerous frontlines and neighborhoods to document the worst tragedies that humanity faces. His family struggles with his loss in the Ukraine. It's tragic and feels important to witness.
Children No More: Was and Are Gone - This was a fascinating look at an Isreali group protesting the deaths of more than 18,000 children in Gaza. I'm afraid to protest this issue here in America because of the vehement and rageful attacks that come from those who support the current Israeli government and their campaign of destruction. Watching their brave and careful approach was nerve-racking and inspirational. It's powerfully put together.
The Devil is Busy - There is an abortion clinic in Atlanta that is still operational and tries to help clients from all over the country that can't get the care they need in their home states. This doc follows the manager of the place and her careful attention to both the security and the humanity of all the staff and guests. I can't tell you how beautiful it is to see someone making the choice to see everyone as human - even the protestors outside. I want to hug that woman. I found the whole piece riveting.
Perfectly A Strangeness - My absolute favorite! This movie features three perfect donkeys that walk around an observatory. Stunning cinematography of them ambling, eating and generally vibing in their mountain locale. At night, you can see the telescopes open up and some gorgeous footage of all the stars and the milk way. The whole thing feels like a poem, comparing the cosmos to a donkey's eye. I found it calming and lovely and I wanted it to go on.
LIVE ACTION-
Butcher's Stain - The butcher in this short is Palestinian and working in Israel. After he posts pictures of Gazan children who have been murdered a colleague turns him in for tearing down pictures of the hostages, which he didn't really do. The emotional beats in the story didn't always feel earned.
A Friend of Dorothy - An adorable friendship between an aging fan of the theatre and a neighborhood teen. These plot points were sometimes unmotivated and the overall story felt oversimplified even though the acting was great from the two leads.
Jane Austen's Period Drama - The comedy of the lot and such a welcome break! With perfect Downton Abbey charm, a man kneels to propose only to find his beloved's dress dripping with her menstrual blood. Then it's a race to try and figure out how to do damage control over the whole situation. It's super silly, packed with jokes and very enjoyable. It's also shot beautifully shot and well produced.
The Singers - This is a grainy, gritty dark look inside a sad bar. One guy can't afford his beer and so decides to start a singing contest. There follows a bunch of surprising songs. It's cute but also just feels pretty superficial.
Two People Exchanging Saliva - A super weird piece about a world where people are not allowed to kiss. They also pay for things by receiving slaps across the face? It's absurd and sort of inscrutable. It was shot well but left me confused.
ANIMATION-
Butterfly - A swimmer who faces discrimination and worse. The animation style looked like a painting; maybe in the style of Diego Rivera? It did not hold my attention.
Forevergreen - This was a super cute story about the relationship between a family of bears and a tree in the forest. The characters looked as if they were carved.
The Girl Who Cried Pearls - Very creepy stop motion puppets that had unhealthy looking faces and whose mouths didn't move with the dialog. It has a lesson about value. It wasn't my cup of tea.
Retirement Plan - A funny look at all the things we put off until later in life when we are less busy; exercise, hobbies, travel, organization, improvements. A lesson to live for today. I liked the relatability.
The Three Sisters - Three women share an island with meager resources until a man moves in and they try to share him. Does not go well. It was amusing but felt vaguely misogynistic.
The runner up animated short they shared was my favorite of the night. It was a called Eiru and it was about nature forcing people to be better. It had really striking animation but anyway, that one's not nominated. I wish Taika had shown up and explained why.