The nominees in the Live Action Short Film category of the 2024 Oscars take you on very different rides. Heartbreaking, infuriating, funny, quirky and dramatic would be the main adjectives to describe this rollercoaster of stories.
Each and every one of them represent some of the best content of this edition of awards granted by The Academy so, regardless of who ends up being the winner, I highly recommend you watch every single one of them.
Without further ado, here are the reviews of the nominees:
Invencible
- Year of production: 2022
- Director: Vincent René-Lortie.
- Producers: Samuel Caron and Élise Lardinois.
Synopsis
A teenager commits suicide as a result of his desperation to be free.
Source: Invencible (Vincent René-Lortie, 2022).
Review
Invencible follows the last two days of life of Marc (Léokim Beaumier-Lépine), a teenage boy escapes from the youth detention centre to go back to the water, the only place where he feels free. To make sure he is not taken away from it again, he decides to commit suicide there. This heartbreaking story is based on a real-life event that speaks volumes of the amount of improvement that needs to be done in these facilities.
While the workers care for him as a student of the centre, he doesn’t appear to be receiving any sort of psychological help, only weak attempts at reasoning mixed with threats. It is obvious that this approach doesn’t work, so further research needs to be done to improve help that these kids receive.
The tale is beautifully told, with a very curated photography that denotes great talent. However, it is the Beaumier-Lépine’s performance that stands out the most. He promises a brilliant acting future if he harnesses that intensity and truth. His appearances on screen are hypnotic. Audiences will greatly benefit from more of these.
Knight of Fortune (Ridder Lykke)
- Year of production: 2022
- Director: Lasse Lyskjær Noer.
- Producers: Kim Magnusson and Christian Norlyk.
Synopsis
A man who doesn’t know how to deal with his wife’s death meets another man at the morgue who will help him through it.
Source: Ridder Lykke (Lasse Lyskjaer Noer, 2022).
Review
Knight of Fortune references the song that both deceased wives of the men who meet loved to sing. It is the first connection that they share before both know that the other one has lost his wife too. The film is a beautiful essay on grief, loss, acceptance, support and friendship. In very little time, the short shares a very intense moment in anyone’s life with great taste and the right amount of humour, combining despair and fun in a delightful mixture that represents the essence of life.
Source: Ridder Lykke (Lasse Lyskjaer Noer, 2022).
The performances are superb. The short dialogues provide the essential information that gestures can’t, but otherwise leave the protagonist to body language. This approach to performance enhances the comedic bits as well as the most dramatic moments, creating an ever-moving trail of emotions that nails every step of the way, taking the audience in a lovely and engaging trip.
Red, White and Blue
- Year of production: 2023
- Director: Nazrin Choudhury
- Producers: Nazrin Choudhury and Sarah McFarlane
Synopsis
A bartender must cross state lines to get an abortion.
Source: Red, White and Blue (Nazrin Choudhury, 2023).
Review
Red, White and Blue is a story of sisterhood and sexism. Rachel (Brittany Snow) is a bartender from Arkansas who barely has the money to make ends meet. In addition to trying to raise her kids, she now needs money to get an abortion out of state because it is illegal where she lives. This raises the cost of an already expensive procedure to an amount that she doesn’t have. In this desperate situation, another woman, whom she doesn’t know, notices her problem and gives her a huge tip to help.
This short film is powerful for the two themes it exposes. Firstly, the ludicrous situation that the US is living, where mostly-male politicians deicide over women’s reproductive rights like it is any of their business whilst most of the American male population don’t even know what menopause is.
(Nazrin Choudhury, 2023).
This absurd situation is looked at in horror from Europe, where women fear that their rights will follow suit. The fact that anyone feels entitled to take away basic rights such as these, is the most terrifying thing that any non-White-male person living in a state of peace can fathom. It represents going backwards in history instead of forwards and sets a dangerous precedent. Speaking up about it is vital, and this film does so immaculately.
Secondly, the theme of sisterhood provides the perfect balance to an otherwise dire account. In a society ruled by people who seek to enslave women like it’s the 50s, women need to stick together now more than ever. Helping each other is the only way to face such a terrible threat and come out victorious. As demonstrated in the film, empathy will always be stronger than prejudice.
The After
- Year of production: 2023
- Director: Misan Harriman.
- Producers: Nicky Bentham and David Oyelowo.
Synopsis
Dayo (David Oyelowo) loses his family in a random attack and is now an Uber driver trying to come to terms with his loss.
Review
The After talks about Dayo, a businessman turned driver as a result of his inability to deal with grief. While the premise is fine, the delivery, not so much. The catalyst of the narrative is rushed through to the point of nonsense, and the audience barely has any time to process what is happening before they are shoved into the aftermath of the event.
As for the story, it shows a day in the life of Dayo as a driver, a monotonous experience that doesn’t communicate much. The last client shown is supposed to be very relevant to him, but turns out that his emotional trigger is but a somewhat likeness to his family. This “revelation” is underwhelming and predictable, robbing the ending of any intensity or power and delivering easy, cloying content instead.
The lack of innovation or surprise is somewhat made up for with incredible performances. Oyelomo portrays Dayo beautifully, adding emotion and depth to a character that is quite plain in writing. As for the clients, they all come with their own little stories. Tales that are very revealing of who they are. Some are endearing, some irrelevant, some very dramatic… but all of them are perfectly showcased by their respective protagonists.
In addition to the different anecdotes, the technique also brings value to the final product. The angles used, as well as the focus and movements, convey emotions and intentions a lot more clearly than the narrative itself. This works both for and against The After since it deepens and clarifies its meaning, but also accentuates the lacking of the story by comparison.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Advice to take from these short films:
- Don’t mess with human rights.
- Grief is something that you have to confront sooner or later, it’s better with company.
- Patience works miracles.
What’s your take? Have you watched any, or all, of these short films? Which one if your favourite? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, in my contact page or through my Instagram! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀
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