In a world where most media is consumed in bite sized chunks, the relevance of short films has actually become more relevant as methods of media consumption have expanded over the decade to include Youtube videos and Vines. But still tried and true are those short films released to theatres, television and film festivals around the world every year. These are the films that every year get selected by the Academy to contend for the year's Oscar for Short Film. Whether it be a live action short or an animated piece, these gems allow for almost any creative individual with an idea and the drive to make something truly spectacular. It is often the starting point for many fresh-faced (metaphorically speaking) film makers who wants to get their vision out there without the bureaucracy and slog of the mainstream film industry.
What follows are short (like their subjects) reviews of each of the contenders in both categories of short film academy awards. Some probably need more time to do them justice. But with all them being winners in their own right, you can't focus on just one. I will be giving my pick for which film I think should win, but if only because the Academy will probably disagree with me.
Live Action
Aquel No Era Yo (That Wasn't Me)
Conveying the true horrors of being a child solider and the life they lead, this spanish short is intense, powerful and heart-breaking. Performances by everyone are incredible and real, presenting the issues currently facing many countries in Africa in a moving and thought-provoking manner.
Avant Que De Tout Perde (Just Before Losing Everything)
A slice of life that for some is all too real, this french film follows a family trying to escape the abusive clutches of the father in their family unit. It's wonderfully acted and subtly shot with the story left to the viewer to piece together as the parts come to us. It becomes especially good towards the end when the tension rises further as the father; unaware of his family's plan of disappearing for a while, shows up durig their planning their exodus.
Helium
The story of a hospital janitor telling a story about the heaven like world of "Helium" to a young dying cancer patient, this inspiring story is somber but not depressing as the peace that the story brings to Alfred the young boy is bittersweet and beautiful.
Pitääkö Mun Kaikki Hoitaa? (Do I Have To Take Care Of Everything?)
A fantastic finnish flick about a family trying to get ready for a friend's wedding, this laugh a minute short makes you want more as everything that could go wrong goes wrong for this family. Even the ending of this seven minute short had me laughing my head off. A wonderfully sweet piece.
The Voorman Problem
The only short I knew about before going into the theatre to see all the shorts, Martin Freeman stars as a prison psychiatrist trying to diagnose the patient Mr. Voorman, who claims to be God. The skeptical doctor is soon faced with a series of mind boggling events and humourously tackles some big questions about the universe. Great performances by all the actors.
Oscar Pick: Pitääkö Mun Kaikki Hoitaa?
While I came to see all of the films and finally see The Voorman Problem, it was Pitääkö Mun Kaikki Hoitaa? that I enjoyed the most and was the most satisfied by. Avant Que De Tout Perde and Aquel Era No You came a very close second as the plot and cinematography of both films were incredible. While I enjoyed the The Voorman Problem, I thought it was a bit short for something that could have explored all kinds of entertaining possibilities. Helium was great short film, but not particularly amazing.
Animated
Feral
The story of a boy raised by wolfs trying to re-enter society, Feral is a stunning piece that explores some questions about how society handles those who are different. The art is what really stands out, especially if you're a fan of stark contrasts and monochrome.
Get a Horse!
Disney's submission in this year's awards, it is both a love letter to the beginnings of Mickey Mouse and a clash of old meets new. The ideas while not exactly the most original (as Day & Night by Pixar does a similar story), the plot and concept is unique enough that this adventure is a feast for the eyes and a lot of fun to watch.
Mr. Hublot
Set in a world where everything is mechanical and industrial, Mr. Hublot is about a mechanical man; who's routines are basically OCD, meeting a very lively and routine-free mechanical dog and how his life gets impacted by this new part of his life. A heart-warming and beautifully animated tale, this short is clever in it's use of an incredibly detailed setting and wonderfully developed characters.
Possessions
In Japanese mythology, there are objects that trick people to steal their souls. Unfortunately while the name of said demonic tools escapes me, the possessed possessions (sorry couldn't resist) make this anime inspired short endearing and a pleasure to watch. If you're familiar with the amazing anime short film Kakurenbo (done by the same director Shuhei Morita), then you're going to enjoy this one as well, as it has the same style with wonderful cel-shaded CG and beautiful hand-drawn backdrops.
Room on the Broom
Based on the children's book of the same name, this charming short film is about a witches journey with her cat and the new animal friends she makes along the way (that's really simplifying the plot but the reviews meant to be short). Following the Gruffalo and Gruffalo's Child short films that the BBC and ZDF have been doing for the last few years around Christmas, this family friendly film is beautifully animated and has plenty of funny nuances for everyone to enjoy.
Oscar Pick: Mr. Hublot
Animation is something I hold very dear to my heart, so picking one is very, very difficult. but ultimately Mr. Hublot takes the cake with a fantastic and clever story and a detailed and beautiful setting. Possessions comes in at a close second. Room on the Broom while a lot of fun to watch and a great short overall is bit too childish, and like the short films before it, a tad repetitive. Get a Horse! while fun and clever isn't all that original and Feral while beautiful isn't all that interesting.
All these films are worth watching if you get the chance, and be sure to watch the Oscars on February 23rd, 2014 to find out if the Academy even remotely agrees with me.
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