Best Live Action Short Film: Ranking Every Oscar Nominee
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
We have arrived at the last of the short film categories, and I have to say that the live action selection this year is not too shabby. I genuinely really like two of the shorts, still have pleasant things to say about two other nominees, and adore one of these films. How great of a story do these films tell in forty minutes or less? What film gripped me the most in the least amount of time? Here are your nominees.
Biggest Snub: Tala'vision
Tala’vision has a basic concept (a television being the only source of hope for a child during wartime, only to be a strong symbol in other ways) and it achieves a lot with it. I feel like it would have been perfectly at home amongst the other nominees at the Academy Awards, and it is my understanding that it actually had a strong chance of being nominated. That’s a shame.
5. The Dress
I understand what the purpose of The Dress is (exploring the damages of fetishization, the dead end life of rural areas of the world [here, we’re in Poland], and the different gazes surrounding sex), and I feel like part of it works quite well. However, it feels a bit over long at half an hour, but at the same time it also doesn’t explore some of its ideas for long enough (it’s a strange contradiction). I feel like ten minutes less and some focusing on parts of this story over others would have made The Dress and its commentary land better.
Rating: 3/5
4. The Long Goodbye
I love how The Long Goodbye starts and how it resolves, but it is the actual racist rallying in the middle of this short that kind of sours the rest of the film; the use of hip hop — as lyrically relevant as the song is — on top of the horrifying images just didn’t work as nicely as I think the film would have wanted. Nonetheless, the build up to this moment (some patient character building) is a highlight, but it is Riz Ahmed’s conscious-rap-monologue finale that really brings the film back to where it always should have been; if the film were to win, it’s for this powerful conclusion (Ahmed’s talents as an actor and a rapper are utilized perfectly).
Rating: 3.5/5
3. On My Mind
I love shorts that are basic in nature and have many moving compartments inside. On My Mind seems like it isn’t about much (a gentleman that really wants to have a go at singing “Always on My Mind” by Willie Nelson on a bar’s karaoke machine whilst being video recorded), but the numerous hiccups that get in the way show his determination, which slowly reveals the bigger, heartbreaking picture. We all have little missions that make sense to us and no one else, but it is through love that we persevere. On My Mind is a very touching short where you get just enough information and time for it to really get to you.
Rating: 4/5
2. Please Hold
A strong commentary on a number of current societal problems including wrongful conviction, over-reliance on technology to run large scaled and important operations, systemic racism, and more. A short film budget has been used wisely here, with some devotion towards the small amounts of special effects (and even animation) whilst using only one room — a prison cell — for the vast majority of the picture. Effective storytelling leads the one-man-show of an innocent person who has been arrested for no reason (Erick Lopez also does a fantastic job as the lead here), and Please Hold’s uncompromised message will linger with you well after these twenty minutes are up.
Rating: 4/5
1. Ala Kachuu-Take and Run
Honestly one of the strongest live action short films in recent memory. A powerful look at how women get kidnapped and forced into marriage in numerous parts of the world, plus a stunningly well-assembled story (that knows how to work its duration nearly perfectly) and a booming performance from Alina Turdumamatova. Cannot recommend this film enough both as a necessary commentary and as a well made film. I want to leave it at that and let you experience more on your own. It deserves to be seen.
Rating: 4.5/5
What I want to win: I’m going to go with Ala Kachuu-Take and Run, which is one of my favourite live action short films in years. I wouldn’t mind some of the other nominees winning, but I flat out love this film.
What I think will win: Right now The Long Goodbye holds the best odds to win. However, shorts categories are often strange. They don’t always pan out the way you think they will. I’ve written these rankings before the Academy’s wide release of these shorts in theatres, so I’m not sure what will take shape afterward yet. However, I’m going to predict that others will feel the same way about Ala Kachuu-Take and Run, and I’ll say that this will wind up winning. I may change my mind closer to the actual ceremony, but for now I’m going with Ala Kachuu.
Tune in Monday for our next Academy Award category! We’re reviewing every single nominee on every weekday.
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.