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Unfortunately, despite its persistence, the mixed genre remains prevalent, largely due to the continuous release of entertaining compilations of short films that are vying for awards. This is evident once again as Shorts TV, based in Britain, is distributing all the short films nominated for Oscars this Sunday. These films fall into three categories: live action, animation, and documentary. In the live action category, there has been some mild controversy, which I have heard British industry professionals express their disapproval of with pursed lips.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, a 40-minute film by Wes Anderson, based on a story written by Roald Dahl, has been nominated for an Oscar in the category of live-action short film for Netflix. Despite being a well-known director, Anderson is eligible for the nomination. However, some may question whether this category is meant for new and upcoming filmmakers who need recognition, rather than established directors who may see it as an opportunity to win their first Oscar. It could be compared to the character Kramer from Seinfeld, who joins a karate class and is able to overpower the younger students because they are at a similar level of skill.
While Henry Sugar is certainly praiseworthy, it is not my top choice in this genre. I prefer Vincent René-Lortie’s powerful Invincible, which tells the true story of a teenage boy’s daring escape from juvenile detention. Léokim Beaumier-Lépine delivers an excellent performance as the troubled protagonist. Knight of Fortune, by Lasse Lyskjaer Noer, is a Danish film that delves into themes of grief and male loneliness. The main character, a grieving widower, struggles to face his wife’s body in a hospital morgue and forms an unexpected bond with another man in a similar situation. Though amusing, the film leans towards sentimentality in its attempt to wrap up the story quickly. The After, a thought-provoking piece by Nigerian-British photographer and artist Misan Harriman, features a compelling lead performance by David Oyelowo and explores the aftermath of a tragedy. While the direction is skillful, the ending of the script feels lacking. My least favorite in this category is Nazrin Choudhury’s absurd and far-fetched Red, White and Blue, in which a single mother with two children is devastated by a positive pregnancy test and travels out of state for an abortion. The film takes a giant and unbelievable twist, fueled by a ridiculous narrative device in which one character behaves unnaturally and unrealistically cheerful.
The animation section included some cloying and sentimental pieces, which tend to dominate this division. “War Is Over!” by Dave Mullins drew inspiration from John and Yoko’s music and portrayed a whimsical story about soldiers during World War I playing chess through carrier pigeons. “Ninety-Five Senses” by Jared and Jerusha Hess, featuring Tim Blake Nelson as Coy, an elderly man reminiscing about his life, stood out for its sharp humor and raw reality that is not typically seen in animated shorts. Tal Kantor’s “Letter to a Pig,” illustrated in a monochrome pen-and-ink style, depicts a survivor of the Holocaust sharing his harrowing experiences with a disinterested class of teenagers, with the pig symbolizing his desire for retribution. Stéphanie Clément’s “Pachyderme” was a sweet but unremarkable recollection of childhood memories. “Our Uniform” by Yegane Moghaddam, an Iranian film, reflects on the filmmaker’s memories of her compulsory school uniform and being taught to denounce the US, Israel, and England. The animation has a graceful cut-out style, but the filmmaker’s initial disclaimer about not wanting to criticize those who wear the hijab takes away from the impact of the film. The film should stand on its own without the need for a disclaimer.
My top choice for a documentary is The Barber of Little Rock by John Hoffman and Christine Turner. It follows the story of Arlo Washington, a charismatic African-American who ran a barber training school and also supported local black businesses with credit. Although The Last Repair Shop is also commendable, I was more drawn to the upbeat tone of The Barber of Little Rock. In contrast, The Last Repair Shop highlights the dedication of a Los Angeles-based musical-instrument-repair facility, which provides free services to students. However, the film seemed overly celebratory of its own impact. Sean Wang’s Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó is a delightful depiction of the heartwarming friendship between two elderly Chinese women who share a home. S Leo Chiang’s Island in Between offers an enlightening look into Kinmen, a Taiwanese island situated near the Chinese coast. The island is a testament to both national pride and fear of what China may do. The documentary focuses on the people of Kinmen, who will be the first to experience any impact from China’s actions. Shiela Nevins addresses the concerning trend of book banning in American schools in her film The ABCs of Book Banning. Her refreshing approach involves interviewing the children affected, who display remarkable maturity. The film effectively covers the books that have faced bans, restrictions, or challenges, although its child-centered approach limits the level of analysis.
This collection is alluring and diverse.
Source: theguardian.com
