Imagine the feeling, having your name called on Oscar night, say, for Best Live Action Short. Imagine being the one who gets to go on stage in front of the same hundred millions who watch the Academy Awards. Imagine getting to speak much like the most famous film people get to do.
To help prime you for such imagining, go to the Nevada Theatre, 7pm, February 20th or 21st to see the five nominees for Best Live Action Short. You could even go to the Sunday evening 2/22 showing, whether or not you record the Oscar broadcast.
Making a point to see these Oscar contenders demonstrates an untypical level of movie appreciation, and each of the five Live Action Short nominees, ranging in length from 14 to 39 minutes is very good this year.
“Aya”: From a peculiar airport mix up, Aya ends up with some stranger who thinks he’s supposed to be in her car. He thinks he’ll just sit and listen to music (he’s a judge prepping for a music competition). She thinks they’re supposed to talk, like real substantive talk.
“Boogaloo and Graham”: In a tough city, life’s a struggle for a young couple with two kids. She loves her lazy bas … her occasional laborer husband. One day, he gives two baby chicks to the kids. They love them, play with them, take them everywhere. The chicks grow up.
“Butter Lamp”: A photographer in China shoots family portraits. He unfurls various grand backgrounds for folks who don’t seem accustomed to such an opportunity. Next background; next family. Next and next. Some films are richly simple.
“Parvaneh”: A young Middle Eastern woman working illegally in Europe is easily taken advantage of. She’s an especially easy target when she’s having difficulty sending money home to her family. Does it cost her 50%, 20%, to manage such a transaction? Will she manage it all? Will she make a friend?
“The Phone Call”: On an answered crisis hotline phone, the caller is crying. “I just can’t tell you,” he says. “It’s already done.” She’s careful not to push or hurry him. This one call, this one crisis call happening now, is quite a difficult and caring interaction.