As always, I try to see as many of the Live Action Short Oscar-nominated Films as I can before the big night. Short films are wonderful! If you haven’t engaged in the magic of them, do yourself a favour and try and catch some of these ones. There are links to where you may be able to find them (subject to change of course) within each review.
The nominees:
- BUTCHER’S STAIN – Meyer Levinson-Beount, Oron Caspi
- A FRIEND OF DOROTHY – Lee Knight, James Dean
- JANE AUSTEN’S PERIOD DRAMA – Julia Aks, Steve Pinder
- THE SINGERS – Franz Bóhm, Hayder Rothschild Hoozeer
- TWO PEOPLE EXCHANGING SALIVA – Natalie Musteata, Alexandre Singh
Butcher’s Stain
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
As tensions run high in a Jewish supermarket during the current Israel/Palestine conflict, Samir (Omar Sameer) is accused of an act of sabotage by his fellow employees. Against this backdrop, Samir is also in a bitter struggle with his ex wife over access to their child, Adam.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (This has not been rated by the BBFC, but based on the content (some language) I believe it would be classified as a 12A rating.).
Talent:
Directed by: Meyer Levinson-Blount
Written by: Meyer Levinson-Blount.
Starring: Omar Sameer, Meyer Levinson-Blount, Rona Toledano, Dror Marko, Sara Raed,
Oron Caspi, Eilon Cohen, Hadi Salama
Running Time: 26m.
“Butcher’s Stain” Review:
A really interesting, well-shot drama involving discrimination in the workplace on religious grounds in the context of the Israeli/Palestine conflict. Samir (Omar Sameer) is accused of a hate crime by his boss Michal (Rona Toledano): namely the tearing down each morning of a poster for the captured Israeli hostages from October 7th. An ‘eye-witness’ has seen him do it! The drama unfolds as we discover who is making the allegations and then we learn the real truth. All of this takes place against the heated dispute between Samir and his wife Iman (Sara Raed) over visitation rights for their child Adam (Eilon Cohen) and against another form of pressure-cooker: the only sporadically working air conditioning in the shop.
There is some terrific acting here, especially from Omar Sameer and Rona Toledano as his female boss. And the script is really well done in keeping my interest from waning for one minute of its tight running time.
My only frustration is in the scene with Samir being accused: why does he not protest his innocence? He keeps saying “But why would I do that?” and “I wouldn’t do such a thing… I’m a decent person”. But he never once says “I DIDN’T DO THIS!” which is surely the natural thing to do?
This is yet another – very different – short film that was a great watch and is going to make my pick for this category so, so difficult!
Where to Watch it:
This short is currently still on the Festivals circuit so not available to watch online at the time of writing. My thanks to the director and to Rachel from his PR team for sending me a screener copy.
Trailer for “Butcher’s Stain
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65Nt5kLW12A.
A Friend of Dorothy
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
Dorothy (Miriam Margolyes) has died and ‘Dickie’ (Stephen Fry) is the executor reading her will. It’s understood why her boorish grandson Scott (Oscar Lloyd) is there. But why is JJ (Alistair Nwachukwu) also present?
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (This is not rated by the BBFC, but would think it would be a 15 due to the language.)
Talent:
Directed by: Lee Knight.
Written by: Lee Knight.
Starring: Miriam Margolyes, Alistair Nwachukwu, Oscar Lloyd, Stephen Fry.
Running Time: 21m.
Review:
22 minutes of pure joy. This short film, the directorial debut of actor Lee Knight (who was Rosencrantz in the Ian McKellen version of “Hamlet“) takes a simple tale of a will-reading and weaves around it the truly touching story of a special friendship. (And before you jump to improper conclusions, no, not that sort of special friendship.)
The story is perfectly pitched and features a superb performance from young Alistair Nwachukwu, who really should be a ‘name to watch’ for in the future. Miriam Margolyes also turns in a wonderfully touching performance of an old woman reborn. The slight off-note for me was the performance of Stephen Fry, which to me was a bit overly mannered. (But hey-ho, he’s a national treasure… he’s allowed!)
It’s just a delight!
Where to Watch it
The film is currently available to watch on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMqUMXn7y5g.
Trailer for “A Friend of Dorothy”
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_hafSoyz_8 .
Jane Austen’s Period Drama
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
Taking a very literal view of the title, Mr. Dickley (Ta’imua) is about to propose to ‘Essy’ Talbot (Julia Aks) when he is horrified to discovery that his love appears not to be long for this world.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (This is not rated by the BBFC, but would think it would be a 12A.).
Talent:
Directed by: Julia Aks & Steve Pinder.
Written by: Julia Aks & Steve Pinder.
Starring: Julia Aks, Ta’imua, Samantha Smart, Nicole Alyse Nelson, Hugo Armstrong, Marilyn Brett, Dustin Ingram
Running Time: 13m.
Review:
A deliciously witty satire on “Sense and Sensibility“, this one made me snort with laughter multiple times. Just the names of the Talbot sisters – Estrogenia (Julia Aks), Labinia (Samantha Smart) and Vagianna (Nicole Alyse Nelson) – was enough to set me off. The cast are all extremely well chosen from Ta’imua’s earnest and clueless Mr Dickley; to the father (Hugo Armstrong), quietly backing away into his study when things become too delicate for his sensibilities and to the housekeeper Mrs Bitts (Marilyn Brett), always announcing visitors in farcical fashion.
Will it win? I’m not sure it will. Comedies seldom do. But of the five shortlisted films, this is the one I had the most fun with.
Where to Watch it:
The film is currently available to watch on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxpjzOLVRR0.
Trailer:
The trailer for “Jane Austen’s Period Drama” is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jltKNiq-eK0.
The Singers
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
In an American bar, a competition to find the best singer discovers some unusual talents.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: MA. (Rated for language.)
Talent:
Directed by: Sam A. Davis
Written by: (Based on the short story by Ivan Turgenev. Curiously, there is no IMDB credit for a screenplay.)
Starring: Chris Smither, Mike Yung, Will Harrington, Judah Kelly, Matt Corcoran, Leroy Griffith.
Running Time: 18m.
“The Singers” Review:
A short film brimming with atmosphere, we are introduced to all of the diverse (but seemingly down-on-their-luck) characters through overhearing snippets of their conversations. The barman (Mike Yung) misses the time when the bar used to be filled with song, mostly thanks to a patron (Chris Smither) who is now clearly very ill and ventilated with tubes. When a heroin addict looking for a fix makes a bet that he is the best singer in the bar, the barman asks the ‘man with tubes’ to take him on. In return, he will show him – amongst all the dollar bills stuck to the ceiling – where to find the $100 bill (a nice touch!).
What ensues is a charming tale of hidden talents and tales of loss. There is a genuinely touching moment after the barman sings, reminiscent of the ending of “Hamnet“. Another cute moment is when another patron (Judah Kelly), too shy to sing in public, retires to the restroom to warble like a songbird.
The film is nicely cast and wonderfully filmed in low-light and atmospheric conditions. My main issue with it though was the sound mix. I simply couldn’t hear the dialogue that was being spoken and in the end had to resort to turning on the Netflix subtitles to understand it.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
“The Singers” is currently available to stream on Netflix.
Trailer:
The trailer for is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6GRNDF5veQ .
Two People Exchanging Saliva
Original title: Deux personnes échangeant de la salive
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
I really don’t want to provide a ‘logline’ for the movie as the premise behind this film is so strange and unusual it is fantastic to see ‘cold’. We are in a timeless dystopian Paris where a simple act of affection is punishable by death and going shopping is a dramatically painful experience!
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (The film has not been rated by the BBFC but I would think this would be rated a 12A.)
Talent:
Directed by: Natalie Musteata & Alexandre Singh.
Written by: Natalie Musteata & Alexandre Singh.
Starring:
Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Luàna Bajrami, Vicky Krieps, Aurélie Boquien, Nicolas Bouchaud, Mitchell Jean.
Running Time: 36m.
“Two People Exchanging Saliva” Review:
This is a spectacular short film that absolutely gripped me from start to finish. The longest of the short films, writer/directors Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh uses this time to develop the characters and the dystopian environment. It’s a place where bad breath is seen as a badge of honour (“would you like some garlic chewing gum?”, LOL) and toothpaste is traded covertly, like drugs, in an alleyway.
It is also beautifully filmed in black and white by cinematographer Alexandra de Saint Blanquat to make it feel like a classic French picture of the 1950’s. This is amplified by the glamour of the filming location: the Galeries Lafayette in Paris.
At the heart of the story is the attraction between the junior 24-year-old shopworker Malaise (Luàna Bajrami) and her much older high-class shopper Angine (Zar Amir Ebrahimi). There is a strong similarity with this latent relationship and the lesbian attraction at the heart of Todd Haynes’ “Carol“, where these roles were played by Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett. And, like in “Carol“, this is really beautifully done with Bajrami and Ebrahimi having genuine chemistry: a level of intimacy and tenderness that is just exquisite to watch. At one point we delve into a touch of sadomasochism, which is brilliantly acted by Ebrahimi.
The production design is also worthy of note, with a final scene in a sort of quarry that is truly memorable.
This is a short film – like “The Ballad of Wallis Island” – that could be justifiably broadened and extended into a feature film.
Where to Watch it
The film is currently available to watch for free via the NewYorker channel on youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuOEEu–j2Y. Go and watch it!
Trailer:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irbsWFFqzG4 .
Who Will Win and Who Should Win?
Wow! Overall, this year’s selection of shorts stands out for its strength and diversity, making predictions for the winner particularly challenging. I could easily adopt a different persona as a voter and choose three or four of these to win! Whilst I probably had the most fun (and the most laughs) with the “Jane Austen Period Drama”, the most impressive film for me is the one I gave 5 stars to and that is “Two People Exchanging Saliva”. So that’s the one I will pick as my “Will Win” and “Should Win” film in this category.
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