Now that the shortlist for all the categories at this year’s 95th Academy Awards have been announced (on 24th January), it is worth reflecting that there were entries from passionate, hopeful, and mainly unknown filmmakers. Despite the glamour of the Oscar ceremony, these directors rigorously follow the path to recognition through establishing themselves in the short film format or commercial advertising first, in the hope of graduating to feature films. Here are seven varied international short films entries for the Academy Award shortlist.
Tech to the Future, by Sandro Monetti, the only non-fiction film here, creates a mood akin to a news item straight out of the film Robocop. On-screen narrator Francis Hellyer defiantly proclaims that technology will lead us to a brighter future. First he visits the Aeromobil Company and their Flying Car development, something they claim is close to being a reality. Afterwards he visits Deep Cake, a Georgia based Company that specializes in Digital Replicas using AI. Their technology has been able to mimic celebrities; the example shown was that of recreating retired actor Bruce Willis. Trioscope is a Block-Chain film company that aims to allow everyone to have the tools and access to make their own sophisticated films through various media. Finally, Hellyer pays a visit to the Hollywood Museum in Los Angeles to talk to its director Donelle Dadigan about their technical innovations.
Nakam from Ukraine is based on a true story from World War Two. It contains a good use of period setting, atmosphere and mise-en-scene. Twelve-year-old violinist Mitka plays in a Ukrainian restaurant with a pianist called Yegor. Nobody is aware that Mitka is part of a Jewish partisan movement. When the opportunity comes to plan the assassination of SS officers in the restaurant, Mitka will put his only friend Yegor’s life in the balance. With a conspicuous evocation of the current conflict in Ukraine, Nakam questions the circumstances and morality of killing, regardless of justified conviction.
The Bangladesh entry Moshari builds up suspense and tension by allowing the psychology and paranoia its own freedom of projection. Set in an unspecified time in the future, the world of Moshari (meaning “Mosquito net”) is being actively colonized by lethal mosquitos. Loudspeakers announce that the West has been crumbling from these blood-suckers, ironically adding how the Third World is equipped for better chances of survival. The film manages to refrain from the borders of implausibility and this directional approach serves the denouement well. Moshari has already made history for being the first Bangladeshi film (in any format) to qualify for the Oscars.
Meanwhile, The Silent Echo is a bitter-sweet snapshot of aspirations to escape remote life. A young Nepali singer travels to a town for a music talent contest. However, his performance does not get the response he hoped for so he travels back home, his dedicated work in vain. This does not stop this entry from being both charming and delighting. It was also the deserved winner of London’s Raindance Film Festival Shorts in 2021.
The Wake concerns a wayward teenager, evidently ignored and un-nurtured by his father and passive mother. Accompanied by his deaf younger brother he seeks an outlet for his emotions. Breaking into houses and stealing token items he dubiously achieves this aim. However, an inexorable trajectory occurs after he finds a gun in a local house. The somewhat unexpected ending rounds off an original take on the suspense film.
War of Colors, directed by Emir Kumoya, is an original and heartfelt plea for sympathy concerning those born with the albino condition. A pretty, intelligent, and sensitive young woman finds discrimination even within her own race. Her brave and disheartening struggle for acceptance in her workplace and personal life is both compelling and thought-provoking. Diandra Forrest excels as the central character in this a worthy Oscar contender.
The Italian entry I miei occhi (My Eyes), by Tommaso Acquarone, concerns a woman caught up in traffic. Speaking on her mobile phone it is evident that she is already experiencing personal tension. When she offers a lift to a street performer she has seen before, the inciting incident is seemingly in gear. Despite this, and with a stylish hypnotic mood, the rest of the film promises greater tension but ultimately reaches a juncture. Therefore, a good idea seems to run out of gas in terms of closure.
In the final fifteen nominations for the Academy Awards Short Film category, out of thousands of entries, the Ukrainian film Nakam has made it on to the announced shortlist. The 95th Academy Award ceremony will take place on Sunday 12th March 2023.