I was listening to Colorado Public Radio a couple of weeks ago when their film critic, Howie Movshovitz, called me out with the following line: “For the most part, it seems to me that many people say they love short films until they actually have the chance to see them.” Howie was right. I like short films but never go to them. This format deserves respect and attention so that night I walked down to the Mayan Theater to see the Oscar-Nominated, Live-Action Shorts. I wasn’t disappointed.
Five films were nominated. The first to screen was a Belgian film, Death of a Shadow. It’s a fantasy about the soul of a dead soldier from World War I, who has been captured by a mysterious, soul collector. In order to gain his freedom, the soldier must capture 1000 other souls for the collector at the moment of their deaths. While ticking of these souls, the soldier is also searching for a lost love, who he met only briefly before he died.
While the story didn’t really speak to me, I was impressed with the look of the film. Computer generated images were heavily and effectively used to create this surreal world where life and death intersect. The production value was extremely high and I was amazed that such a large budget would be devoted to a 20-minute movie.
The second short was a poignant film called Henry from Canada. It’s the story of an old man’s sad and disturbing slide into dementia. Life’s events continue to unfold around him; the death of his wife, his confinement in a nursing home but Henry’s failing mind is unable to produce the new memories that would give him his bearings. His dementia leaves him and his daughter to suffer the ravages of this cruel disease.
Henry had the feel of an intensely personal project. I wouldn’t be surprised if the filmmaker, Yan England, has or had someone close to him afflicted with dementia.
The third film Curfew was the pick of the bunch for me. It begins with the protagonist having just slit his wrist when the phone rings. His estranged sister is on the line. Her abusive relationship with the man in her life has left her in the lurch. She has no to take care of her pre-teen daughter except her untrustworthy brother. He agrees to help her out, bandages up his wrist and goes to look after his neice. The time he spends with this amazing kid begins the process of reconnecting him to her, his sister and to life.
What really makes this succinct film go is the performance of 12-year-old Fátima Ptacek. She moves through the movie with panache and bravado. This young actress gives a pitch-perfect performance as the New York City kid from a troubled home who’s had to grow up too fast but still longs for the security of a loving family.
The forth film is Buzkashi Boys. It’s about best friends growing up in Kabul, Afghanistan. Rafi is the son of a blacksmith. Ahmad is an orphan, who ekes out a living on the streets asking motorists for alms in exchange for blessings.
The film is a reminder that normal life goes on even in a country that has been devastated by more than three decades of war. Anyone who had a best friend growing up can relate to Rafi and Ahmad’s relationship.
The final film is Asad. Set on the Coast of Somalia, a young boy must decide whether to be a poor but honest fisherman or to become a pirate like many of the young men in his war-torn village.
The extraordinary thing about this sweet story is that the actors are all Somali refugees. Despite having their lives and careers turned upside down by the need to escape their struggling country, these thespians still find the time and opportunity to do what they love.
The Oscar-Nominated, Live-Action Shorts are still showing at the Mayan Theater and are well worth seeing. Short films are not made with the idea that they’re going to earn a lot of money or even great recognition. They’re made because people love making films and have a story that they feel compelled to share.
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