ShortsHD™, the Short Movie Channel (www.shorts.tv), celebrates its 10th anniversary of its Oscar shorts release by opening “THE OSCAR® NOMINATED SHORT FILMS 2015 in a record 450+ theatres across the United States, Canada, Europe and Latin America on Friday January 30, 2015.
Once again I’ve decided to list the shorts – live action category, in the order that I enjoyed them. Interestingly, the U.S. isn’t represented. Some of these features are also available On Demand and/or on iTunes.
Boogaloo and Graham
UK/14MINS/Director: Michael Lennox
In 1970’s Belfast, a father gives his sons, Jamesy and Malachy, two baby chicks. They care for their chickens like a beloved family pets – but mom has other ideas. An uplifting tale that celebrates the lengths parents will go to for the love of their kids. The shortest nominee also happens to be my personal favorite. (7/10)
Parvaneh
SWITZERLAND/25MINS/Director: Talkhon Hamzavi
An Afghan teen travels to Zurich to send money to her ailing father back in Afghanistan. A Swiss punk girl agrees to help her. Some poignant culture clash moments in a nicely acted duet of performances. (7/10)
Aya
ISRAEL – FRANCE/39MINS/Directors: Mihal Brezis and Oded Binnun
Thomas, a Danish man, mistakenly believes Aya to be his assigned driver. Enchanted by the random encounter, she impulsively decides to go along with the charade. On the way to his Jerusalem destination, the reserved pianist and the unpredictable driver have an intimate conversation. Very well written, but you keep waiting for something to happen. Rather long too. (6/10)
Butter Lamp (La Lampe Au Beurre De Yak)
FRANCE-CHINA/15MINS/Director: Hu Wei
A nomadic photographer and his assistant photograph Tibetan people in front of various backgrounds. Many of the backgrounds are from other countries. Brief sketch has a striking final shot. A crisp comment on pop culture contrasted with the beauty we overlook around us. (6/10)
The Phone Call
UK/21MINS/Director: Mat Kirkby
A shy woman (Sally Hawkins) works at a helpline call center. She receives a phone call from a despondent old man (Jim Broadbent) and the two have a conversation. This is the category front-runner given the fact that it features 2 gifted thespians. The 20 minute short highlights a nicely written conversation. However the payoff isn’t the uplifting coda the filmmaker clearly wants it to be. That closing song is a deal breaker – unless of course you think suicide is a great way for unhappy people to solve things. (5/10)
8 Responses
Parvaneh from Talkhon Hamzavi is a fantastic, emotional movie…
One of my faves in this category.
Boogaloo and Graham Was also my favorite.
Sources say The Phone Call will win, but Boogaloo and Graham is my pick.
Parvaneh and Aya look interesting to me. Not sure whether I’d like The Phone Call, or Boogaloo and Graham for that matter.
Boogaloo and Graham is about a good dad who loves his sons. Hard to resist that. Obviously the BAFTAs couldn’t. It won the award there.
Boogaloo and Graham sounds like the one I’d probably like best out of this group too. Based on your description the story sounds charming. The Phone Call ends with suicide? That sounds horribly depressing and frustrating to deal with as a viewer.
It has this really syrupy song that plays at the end like it was a happy way to go. So wrong.