Live Action
It is tough to talk about short films without giving away the game. They are generally 20 minutes or less long. So all you will get is MY reaction to the movies with little discussion of the plots. Short films can be powerful, focused pieces of art.
I've been watching these films for years and 2020 is the best collection of live action shorts in a single year yet. They all deserve to win.
Brotherhood
25 minutes Tunisia/Canada
This is a movie about fathers and sons more than anything. As I watched it I thought that many Americans who think "all Muslims are alike" would benefit from seeing this. But the film is not about THAT. It is, as much as anything, about communication (or the lack of it) and decency. This movie highlights the decency of people we might revile for poor choices. It is a moving film.
The Neighbors’ Window
20 minutes USA
You may have a different impression of this movie at the beginning verses the end. That's as close to a
spoiler as I will get. It is a lovely film that will leave you with tears in your eyes. It is about how
all our lives are maybe better than we think they are. There is something to be said for every path and
for every age we find ourselves at.
A Sister
16 minutes Belgium
This film is pretty much every woman's nightmare scenario and you will be sitting on the edge of your seat for 16 minutes. They do what lesser short films fail to do; they make you care about the person. Maybe it is because you instantly sense what is going on, before it becomes obvious. It also has a tense "look."
Nefta Football Club
17 minutes France
You never know what you will find on your way home. Sometimes it can help your football (soccer) game even.
Funny, touching and exactly the right length. Also, some donkeys like Adele.
Saria
23 minutes USA
Americans should all be ashamed. We have children in concentration camps and only a small group actually
care about it. Children are disappearing. This movie isn't specifically about that but it is what I thought
about the whole time I was watching this. This is about bravery, love and decency. It is also about the
absence of those things. It is about the world's dying morality.
I've been watching these films for years and 2020 is the best collection of live action shorts in a single year yet. They all deserve to win.
Brotherhood
25 minutes Tunisia/Canada
This is a movie about fathers and sons more than anything. As I watched it I thought that many Americans who think "all Muslims are alike" would benefit from seeing this. But the film is not about THAT. It is, as much as anything, about communication (or the lack of it) and decency. This movie highlights the decency of people we might revile for poor choices. It is a moving film.
The Neighbors’ Window
20 minutes USA
You may have a different impression of this movie at the beginning verses the end. That's as close to a
spoiler as I will get. It is a lovely film that will leave you with tears in your eyes. It is about how
all our lives are maybe better than we think they are. There is something to be said for every path and
for every age we find ourselves at.
A Sister
16 minutes Belgium
This film is pretty much every woman's nightmare scenario and you will be sitting on the edge of your seat for 16 minutes. They do what lesser short films fail to do; they make you care about the person. Maybe it is because you instantly sense what is going on, before it becomes obvious. It also has a tense "look."
Nefta Football Club
17 minutes France
You never know what you will find on your way home. Sometimes it can help your football (soccer) game even.
Funny, touching and exactly the right length. Also, some donkeys like Adele.
Saria
23 minutes USA
Americans should all be ashamed. We have children in concentration camps and only a small group actually
care about it. Children are disappearing. This movie isn't specifically about that but it is what I thought
about the whole time I was watching this. This is about bravery, love and decency. It is also about the
absence of those things. It is about the world's dying morality.
Animation
from Hair Love
Daughter
15 minutes Czech Republic
People die and we are sad but usually it looks better than this.
Hair Love
7 minutes USA
The best short animation from this year. Ladies, imagine your dad trying to do YOUR hair as a little girl.
Kitbull
9 minutes USA
Heartstrings get tugged by Pixar. Looks good but is it a little low fi for them? Is that the thing this year?
Look a little less fancy? Cute cats and dogs with an obvious message.
Mémorable
12 minutes France
We see a lot on Alzheimers and cognitive disease in the shorts it seems, even as a sidebar. Yet, there is
something charming about this little film.
Sister
8 minutes. USA
The film with the most profound message. But is it about China? Or HERE? Always look for the subtext.
15 minutes Czech Republic
People die and we are sad but usually it looks better than this.
Hair Love
7 minutes USA
The best short animation from this year. Ladies, imagine your dad trying to do YOUR hair as a little girl.
Kitbull
9 minutes USA
Heartstrings get tugged by Pixar. Looks good but is it a little low fi for them? Is that the thing this year?
Look a little less fancy? Cute cats and dogs with an obvious message.
Mémorable
12 minutes France
We see a lot on Alzheimers and cognitive disease in the shorts it seems, even as a sidebar. Yet, there is
something charming about this little film.
Sister
8 minutes. USA
The film with the most profound message. But is it about China? Or HERE? Always look for the subtext.
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