The night before the Oscars, we had a chance to see the Oscar Nominated Live Action Short Films at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington.
This is a nice place, and equivalent of an independent movie showcase place, "art movies" as we used to call them back home. This presentation is narrated by Luke Matheny, who was himself a winner in this series in 2011.
It was a unique opportunity to see these shorts just one night before the awards. I have no idea where these films are played or seen. I have never seen one in the theaters What is there market?
This is my personal take on these.
Death of a Shadow (Belgium/France), A soldier who died in WWI is given a second lease on life. He has to capture 10,000 shadows of death. In return he will get one hour of life back to be in his own time. The special camera he is given is the one through which one can see the past and can take the picture of the shadow. He wants to go back to be with with the girl who tended him when he was running away from the enemies. Only to find out that the girl was in fact waiting for another soldier who was shot by a firing squad. He goes back and gives his chance to the other man to be with the waiting girl.
Curfew (USA), A touchy movie of where Richie a failure in life at the lowest point in his life is about to commit suicide. He gets a call from his sister, estranged for years and now in an abusive relationship, to take care of her daughter for the evening. The acting of the young girl, Fatima Ptacek, is superb, who initially comes across full of herself, with an attitude, but goes through a roller coaster of emotions in those few hours with his uncle.
Buzkashi Boys (Afghanistan). I had heard the interview of the boy actor on BBC and was the main reason I went to see the shorts. A story of friendship and emotions of two preteens, how they struggle to deal with everyday life and dream about their future. They watch buzkashi riders and get adrenalized. Jawanmard Paiz is the street urchin and is full of energy, a dare devil and is sure to make big. He taunts is friend to climb up vertical stairs in a deserted palace up to the top which his friend Fawad Mohammadi does not. Fawad is a son of a blacksmith, and is cautious but wished to succeed in life. One pays the price and the other gets strength from the fallen friend. Excellent movie, a must see.
Henry (Canada),in French. It is the story of pain of an old main, a great pianist, who is gradually his memory in old age. Keeps on thinking about his wife and daughter. Excellent acting.
Curfew (USA), A touchy movie of where Richie a failure in life at the lowest point in his life is about to commit suicide. He gets a call from his sister, estranged for years and now in an abusive relationship, to take care of her daughter for the evening. The acting of the young girl, Fatima Ptacek, is superb, who initially comes across full of herself, with an attitude, but goes through a roller coaster of emotions in those few hours with his uncle.
Buzkashi Boys (Afghanistan). I had heard the interview of the boy actor on BBC and was the main reason I went to see the shorts. A story of friendship and emotions of two preteens, how they struggle to deal with everyday life and dream about their future. They watch buzkashi riders and get adrenalized. Jawanmard Paiz is the street urchin and is full of energy, a dare devil and is sure to make big. He taunts is friend to climb up vertical stairs in a deserted palace up to the top which his friend Fawad Mohammadi does not. Fawad is a son of a blacksmith, and is cautious but wished to succeed in life. One pays the price and the other gets strength from the fallen friend. Excellent movie, a must see.
Asad (South Africa), Again this is a story of a young boy, living in a shanty town in Somalia, desiring to be a fabled pirate but has to take care of his needy family and becomes a fisherman. A war ravaged land and the universal story of human desire to be happy and succeed. Masterfully done.
Given a chance to see the shorts, do avail it. I would have voted for Buzkashi Boys, but Oscar went to Curfew.
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