My wife and I saw the 2025 OSCAR® NOMINATED Live Action Short Films at the Spectrum Theatre on a Tuesday in mid-February.
Director Nebojsa Slijepcevic
1993, Bosnia and Herzegovina. A passenger train is stopped by paramilitary forces in an ethnic cleansing operation. As they haul off innocent civilians, only one man out of 500 passengers dares to stand up to them.
Director Adam J. Graves
ANUJA tells the story of a gifted nine-year-old girl who, alongside her sister Palak, faces a life-changing opportunity that tests their bond and mirrors the struggles of girls worldwide.
I’m Not a Robot
NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM/22 MINS/2023
Director Victoria Warmerdam
After repeatedly failing CAPTCHA tests, music producer Lara spirals into obsession, haunted by the disturbing question of whether she might actually be a robot.
Director David Cutler-Kreutz, Sam Cutler-Kreutz
A young couple face up to and deal with a dangerous immigration process.
The Last Ranger
SOUTH AFRICA/28 MINS/2024
Director Cindy Lee
When young Litha is introduced to the magic of a game reserve by the last remaining ranger, they are ambushed by poachers. In the ensuing battle to save the rhinos, Litha discovers a terrible secret.
Whatcha gonna do?
In some ways, all of the films are about choice. From here re: Silent: “Each of us is faced with the question posed by the film’s protagonist: should we stand up to violence even if we are not its immediate targets?” Somehow, the heroism was too muted for me.
Anuja was more fully realized, with Palak repeating a story to Anuja that their mother used to tell. Palak is resigned to working at the factory, but math wiz Anuja has another option. Will she take it?
If you have ever been frustrated by CAPTCHA – I certainly have! – Robot is LOL funny early on. If Lara is a bot, what free will does she possess? Very relatable. You can see it for free here.
“A Lien brings you into the tense, intimate moment of a green card interview that could change three people’s lives forever.” It gets very intense and entirely believable. You can see the film for free here or here. Here’s an interview with the directors.
The Last Ranger is a story about limited economic opportunities in the region and choices made. From Kindred Films: “The rhino population in South Africa has been decimated by poaching in the last decade. The Last Ranger is a narrative story about the rangers who risk their lives daily to protect these magnificent creatures.” This was a strong concluding film.