OSCAR SHORT FILMS - 2
Due to copyright it can be difficult to find the latest Oscar winners but here are some of the most recent winning films available.
Sing by Kristof Deak (2016) (Hungary) (25m)
Sing won the Academy Award for Best Short Film in 2017; reaffirming the Academy's commitment to honouring films which centre around a child. Inspired by a true story, Sing (Mindenki) tells the story of Zsófi, who joins a new school with a famous, festival-winning choir. Although Zsófi is allowed to join the choir, she is soon asked by the manipulative singing teacher to mime instead of vocalise the lyrics. But is she the only one whose singing is not up to scratch or is the whole choir a sham?
The Phone Call by Mat Kirkby (2013) (UK) (20m)
The Phone Call won the Best Short Film Oscar in 2015. This short drama is beautifully made, but it is the performance (and presence) of Sally Hawkins that makes it stand out. Hawkins plays Heather, who volunteers as a phone operator in an understaffed crisis centre (like the Samaritans). Today, she receives a call from Stan, a jazz fan who has decided he can no longer go on after the death of his wife. Will Heather be able to save him and who really needs saving? I have to admit I was expecting a twist but it is a solid and unashamedly lachrymose story.
Helium by Anders Walter (2013) (Denmark) (23m)
Helium won the Best Short Film Oscar in 2014. It is a touching and beautifully made short film about a terminally ill boy, Alfred, who is not particularly enamoured with the prospect of Heaven. The new janitor invents an alternative place called Helium, which is more to Alfred's liking, and forms a relationship with the boy. Anders Walter went on to make the feature film I Kill Giants starring Zoe Saldana (Star Trek, Avatar).
