Posted March 26, 2013
By STEPHANIE PARRA
The Oscar Nominated Live Action Short Films of 2013 take audience members on a trip around the world.
With “Curfew” being the only American finalist this year, the nominees exemplify diversity. The films also highlight emotion, illustrate the beauty of humanity and remind viewers of some of the most important values that characterize our world.
“Death of a Shadow”
In director Tom Van Avermaet’s “Death of a Shadow,” fictional yet intricate gadgetry is just some of the instruments employed to develop the film’s message. The plot consists of a lovely story of a dead World War I soldier whose posthumous mission is to capture the shadows of men at the time of their death.
The soldier, played by Matthias Schoenaerts, must decide between his own happiness and the happiness of his former lover, Sarah. The film’s plot is innovative and gives viewers a different take on the often-repeated story of lost love. Most importantly, the almost sci-fi, fantastical effects enhance the creative plot. This short film is the first in the anthology played at movie theaters, and gives the series a pleasant start.
“Henry”
This short film begins with a close-up shot on Henry’s hands, as his fingertips lightly touch what appear to be his music sheets and his piano. The film develops into his story, which is the story of an aging musician and his descent into dementia. It provides a vivid portrayal of his mind. It depicts the frustration he faces as he forgets key facts about his life, and the audience is shown a glimpse into his past life.
In the short time the film lasts, the audience witnesses key turning points in Henry’s life, and the emotions he experienced while living each moment.
Yan England, the director, expertly tries, and succeeds, to conceptualize the unknown. His film aims to display dementia from the point of view of someone who suffers from its tight, sad grasp. Though it’s not an original idea, the film’s actors do an excellent job at executing the emotions necessary for the illustrated situation. The music and the lighting provide excellent complements to the film, making it another asset to the Oscar-nominated short film compilation.
“Curfew”
Curfew, which took the Oscar in the live action short film category, tackled several issues many of Americans deal with daily. The film takes a sadistic, yet somewhat humorous approach to issues including depression, suicide and domestic abuse. Always filled with surprises, Shawn Christensen’s “Curfew,” also weaves timeless life themes in a creative fashion. The film explores the story of a man on the verge of suicide.
But, before he has the chance to drift off into oblivion, he receives an unexpected phone call from his abused sister. His sister, in desperate need of a babysitter for her daughter, seeks help from her brother. During their time together, the mature, innocent fourth grader teaches her uncle the importance of love and second chances. This film deals with difficult topics, and does so in a skillful way so as not to insult others when humor is intricately weaved into its complex plot.
“Buzkashi Boys”
“Buzkashi Boys,” set in Afghanistan, portrays the story of two young boys learning to live their lives in a city with lackluster opportunities. Their story develops as the two best friends dream of becoming masters of buzkashi, the national sport of the country, which consists of playing polo with a dead goat. In one scene, the film transports the audience to a beautifully executed snow scene in the desert, which is the point at which the two boys fall in love with the sport.
Sam French, director of the film, depicts the story of the two boys and their quest to accomplish their dreams. The film highlights the sad difficulties young children, like the two best friends, encounter while trying to accomplish their dreams.
The film also deals with the superseding importance destiny takes over developing dreams in countries like Afghanistan. Though an impressive addition to the compilation, the film does not exactly meet up to its three predecessors because of its topic.
“Asad”
“Asad,” set in a Somali fish village, is the final film in the compilation. This film, like “Buzkashi Boys,” depicts the incapacity some citizens of underdeveloped countries meet when trying to make a somewhat decent life for them. At times, the film echoes the “Old Man and the Sea;” the young protagonist in the film takes on an older mentor to guide him through famine and difficult financial times.
The director of the film, Bryan Buckley, depicts the conflicting moral choices the protagonist must make throughout the plot of the film in an excellent way. At the same time, he also depicts the naivety of the young protagonist – he rescues a small white cat from a pirated vessel he discovers while fishing.
When he brings it back, the villagers charmingly mistake the boy’s catch for a white lion, and rejoice in his triumphant accomplishment.
“Death of a Shadow”
• Original title: “Dood van een Schaduw”
• Director: Tom Van Avermaet
• Release date: Sept. 10, 2012 (in U.S.)
• Run time: 20 minutes
• Leading actors/ actresses: Matthias Schoenaerts, Laura Verlinden, Peter van den Eede
• Genre: Drama, fantasy
• Personal rating: 5/5 stars
“Henry”
• Director: Yan England
• Release date: 2011 (in U.S.)
• Run time: 21 minutes
• Leading actors/actresses: Louise Laprade, Hubert Lemire, Gerard Poirier
• Genre: Drama
• Personal rating: 5/5 stars
“Curfew”
• Director: Shawn Christensen
• Release date: January 2012 (in U.S.)
• Run time: 19 minutes
• Leading actors/actresses: Fatima Ptacek, Shawn Christensen, Kim Allen
• Genre: Drama
• Personal rating: 5/5 stars
“Buzkashi Boys”
• Director: Sam French
• Release date: 2012 (in U.S.)
• Run time: 28 minutes
• Leading actors/actresses: Jawan Mard Homayoun, Fawad Mohammadi, Jawanmard Paiz
• Genre: Drama
• Personal rating: 4/5 stars
“Asad”
• Director: Bryan Buckley
• Release date: 2012 (in U.S.)
• Run time: 18 minutes
• Leading actors/actresses: Najah Abdi Abdullahi, Hussein Abdi Mohamed, Maymum Abdi Mohamed
• Genre: Adventure, drama
• Personal rating: 4/5 stars