2022 Oscar Short Film Nominees: Stunning

After a couple of years off, we decided to purchase the $35 Cinemark Oscar Movie Week Pass. This is when we spend a whole week viewing all the nominees for the best-picture Academy Award. It can be a bit exhausting, but it’s fun, too. Even though many of the movies can be viewed on streaming platforms, there’s just something about the big screen and big tub of popcorn. If you have a chance to purchase a Movie Week pass next year, I’d highly recommend doing so.

As part of the festival, a compilation of the five live-action, short-film nominees was also available for an extra fifty cents. That was a bit confusing to me, but I went with it and I’m glad I did. 

This year’s short-film nominees were diverse, current, and eye-opening. The subjects included futuristic automation, end-of-life decisions, disability life, immigrant persecution, and female subjugation. The shortest film was 13 minutes and the longest 38 minutes. 

After the last film concluded, I sat there for a few moments—stunned. I had just been on an emotional whirlwind of consciousness raising. 

On Oscar night, Aneil Karia and Riz Ahmed’s cautionary The Long Goodbye claimed the Oscar, but all of the nominees were worthy in my opinion. I’d have a difficult time deciding which to vote for. Here’s a short description of each, without spoilers, in the order I viewed them. I also included links to view these outstanding short films. 

On My Mind

Henrik walks into a bar on a Tuesday morning and wants to sing karaoke, specifically the Elvis version of “Always on My Mind.” The kindly female bartender wants to oblige, but the financially strapped owner informs him that karaoke is only offered on the weekend. The man’s significant monetary incentive persuades the owner. Henrik also wants the bartender to record him singing the song on his phone. “Maybe I didn’t love you, quite as often as I should have,” he begins. Despite ensuing technical difficulties, Henrik is not giving up. He must do this now. Why? Available on YouTube. (Denmark, Martin Strange-Hansen, 18 minutes)

Please Hold

Mateo is walking to work, talking to his virtual assistant when an alert pops up. The message informs him that he’s being arrested, and a police drone soon arrives with handcuffs requesting that he place them on himself. From that point on, corporate automation handles every aspect of his booking, defense, proceedings, and incarceration. We all have experience with automated menus and have likely uttered, “Human, assistant, operator, agent!” Imagine what it’s like trying to get help when the rest of your life is at stake. Available on HBO Max. (United States, KD Davila, 19 minutes)

The Dress

Anna is a little person, frustrated with her motel-maid job and lack of romantic experience. Her situation isn’t helped by the fact that she smokes too much and rarely smiles. She’s fortunate that she has a good friend in an older woman with whom she’s worked for eight years. When a repeat motel guest, a trucker, shows her some interest, she has a reason to smile. Is her life about to change for the better? Available on Vimeo and HBO Max. (Poland, Tadeusz Lysiak, 30 minutes)

The Long Goodbye

The title of this film is intriguing considering its brevity. Riz and his large immigrant family are all at home. His little brother teaches him a funky dance while, on the television in the background, a news report depicts militia-type violence. Elders go about their day as usual. Upstairs, three young women laugh and discuss an upcoming wedding. It’s a beautiful family scene until Riz looks out the window and realizes the militia has arrived in their neighborhood. Available on YouTube. (United Kingdom, Aneil Karia, 13 minutes)

Ala Kachuu – Take and Run

In a small Kyrgyz village, young and beautiful Sezim fumbles bread kneading under her mother’s supervision. Sezim hesitantly brings up the scholarship-qualifying test that could further her education. Her mother forbids the request. An education is unnecessary for the next phase of Sezim’s life—marriage. Determined, Sezim runs away to the big city where the village embarrassment, Aksana, lives in her own apartment while she pursues her own career. After taking the college entrance exam, Sezim awaits the results. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and giving the wrong answer, shatters her every dream. Is she smart enough and strong enough to reclaim her future? Available on Vimeo. (Switzerland/Kyrgyzstan, Maria Brendle, 38 minutes)