Double Take

A Few Brief Comments on the “Best” of the Oscar Shorts

John Bennison, Mountain Shadow Director

When Will Smith and Chris Rock had their on-stage altercation at this year’s Academy Awards, one might have wondered if the incident was mere theatrics, or just another act of reactionary violence; this time on a live-broadcast, and before censors could complete their double-take of what had just occurred.

In actuality, the incident was not unlike more than a few Oscar Short film nominees; given the fact a significant number of them came with the equivalent of an R-rating warning for graphic violence, sexual assault, even bestiality. None of those nominees’ films are in our show this month; including the three “winners” chosen by the Academy. [Note: You can now find them online, and judge for yourself.]

Instead, and – given the fact all the “shorts” this year had unusually long running times -- we offer a line-up of only five shorts in a 130-minute total program. While we were unable to bring our annual show to our audiences before the Academy picked their winners – due to the simple fact the film distributor would not allow a virtual screening last month when we had not yet returned to in-person shows, in the end our selection would not have been any different. We offer you the “Best” which are:

BOXBALLET (Animated –Russia - Drama / Romance -15 min. )
WHEN WE WERE BULLIES (Documentary – U.S. - 36 min.)
PLEASE HOLD (Live-action – U.S. - Comedy / Sci-Fi - 19 min.)LEAD ME HOME (Documentary – U.S. - 39 min.)
ON MY MIND (Live-action – Denmark - 18 min.)