LIVE ACTION SHORT
“Ennemis Interieurs (Enemies Within)”
Impressive drama set in 1996 about a man who has lived-in France most of his life, but was born in Algeria. As he applies for French citizenship he realizes a government beurocract is using the opportunity to coerce him into providing names of innocent French Algerians he spent time with a few years before.
Pros: Wonderfully realized with fantastic performances and a powerful message that resonates on both sides of the Atlantic.
Cons: None.
“La Femme et Le TGV”
Elise (Jane Birkin), an older Swiss woman, has a lonely existence running a pastry shop with dwindle business in a small Swiss town. Everyday she watches the train go by and waves her Swiss flag at the passengers. She eventually gets a note from the train driver (the TGV in the title) who throws her a letter in her yard after years of seeing her wave. They develop a romantic correspondence that gives her hope again. When the train route changes she takes matters into her own hands to track him down.
Pros: Strong filmmaking, high production value, beautiful score. Great performance by Jane Birkin. The “inspired by true events” title card at the end could help with voters.
Cons: Predictable storyline.
“Silent Nights”
An African immigrant from Ghana tries to make ends meet and is effectively homeless in Denmark. When he’s attacked by a gang of thugs he’s befriended by a Salvation Army worker. He begins to help out at her charity office and they develop a romance. Meanwhile, his wife and daughter are struggling back home.
Pros: Blunt focus on racism in Europe.
Cons: Weak acting, storyline is predicable and, at times, slightly hard to believe (at least in the context of a 30 min or so short). Tries to portray complex situations in a melodramatic context and it doesn’t work.
“Sing” (Mindenki)
Zsófi, a young Hungarian girl, enters a new primary school and joins its celebrated choir. She becomes despondent after her teacher tells her she isn’t good enough for their first competition and should “mime” the words instead. Liza, Zsófi’s friend and a member of the choir, realizes there are a number of other students not allowed to sing and hatches a plan to turn the tables on their teacher.
Pros: Kristóf Deák has a deft touch directing this young cast even if the are slightly too adorable for words. Includes a not-so subtle message about adults instilling the idea of peer pressure in kids.
Cons: It’s well made, but not as deep as it would like to be. Ending is not as impactful as it should be.
“Timecode”
A security guard discovers her colleague is an impressive dancer after a car in their building is damaged.
Pros: Unique idea. Well told with almost no dialogue. Great last line. Feels appropriate for a short.
Cons: None really.
Prediction:“Ennemis Interieurs (Enemies Within)”
Upset:“Timecode” or “La Femme et Le TGV”
Who Should Win: “Ennemis Interieurs (Enemies Within)”
DOCUMENTARY SHORT
“4.1 Miles”
Shot in 2015, this New York Times Op-Doc chronicles Greek officials who pick up refugees trying to cross the 4.1 miles of water between Turkey and and the small island of Lesbos, Greece.
Pros: Impressively captures the dangers and emotions in trying to save young refugee families traveling on packed life raft boat. Especially a mother and her two sons who have fallen overboard trying to get on the rescue ship. Strong editing and score.
Cons: None
“Extremis”
A look at doctors, families and patients making end-of-life decisions.
Pros: Shows the stark difficulties doctors, in particular face. Especially with families who can’t make a decision.
Cons: It’s tough. And it’s about death, often an uncomfortable subject to vote for.
“Joe’s Violin”
Joseph Fiengold, a holocaust survivor, donates a violin he has had for over 70 years to a New York City program to redistribute instruments. The violin is given toe 13-year-old Brianna Perez.
Pros: Both Joe’s experiences during WWII and the immigrant storyline are, obviously, timely. When the two meet it is quiet moving.
Cons: None
“The White Helmets”
Set in Aleppo City, Syria, it follows a group of Syrian Civil Defense volunteers known as the White Helmets who are the first responders to bombing strikes are civilian attacks in the city.
Pros: Incredible war footage.
Cons: Feels more like a feature than a short.
“Watani: My Homeland”
A Syrian Freedom Fighter’s family escapes the outskirts of Aleppo after he’s captured by ISIS and start life a new in Germany.
Pros: Incredible story. Committed filmmaking.
Cons: Definitely too long. Second half is nowhere near as compelling as first.
Prediction: “Joe’s Violin”
Upset: “The White Helmets”
Who Should Win: Toss up between “Joe’s Violin” and “The White Helmets.”
You can see all the Oscar nominated shorts currently in theaters in limited release and On Demand Feb. 21.