- A Night at the Oscars
- A showcase of the 2009 Oscar nominated short films
- Friday, March 13, 2009
- 5:30 p.m. Live Action shorts
- 8:00 p.m. Animated shorts
- The Tower Theatre
- 815 E. Olive Avenue, Fresno [map]
- $15.00 Special Price for both programs
- $10.00 General Admission
- $8.00 for Students and Seniors
- buy tickets now →
- visit the official website
You may find yourself in need of a break from the manufactured hysteria surrounding “The Curious Reader of Slumdog Milk/Nixon.” A perfect antidote to this can be found in the program of Oscar-nominated short films. It may seem odd to propose one batch of Oscar bait as the answer to another, but the 10 contending short films–five animated, five live-action–exhibit some virtues that their feature-length counterparts lack.
A.O. Scott
New York Times
Watch the Trailer
LIVE ACTION (5:30pm)
Auf Der Strecke (On the Line) dir. Reto Caffi – Germany/Switzerland
A department store security guard is secretly infatuated with a clerk in the store’s bookshop. When he witnesses a love rival being attacked on a train, he abandons him. A decision that carries with it devastating consequences.
Grisen (The Pig) dirs. Tivi Magnusson & Dorte Hogh – Denmark
When Asbjorn is admitted to hospital, he finds comfort in a painting of a whimsical pig – until it is removed by the request of another patient.
Manon Sur Le Bitume (Manon on the Asphalt) dirs. Elizabeth Marre & Olivier Pont – France
What really flashes before your eyes at the end? It’s a lovely spring day and Manon is on her way to a rendezvous with her boyfriend when an unexpected bump in the road makes her see life from an entirely fresh perspective.
New Boy dir. Steph Green – Ireland
Based on a Roddy Doyle short story, a young African immigrant struggles to find a place for himself during his first day at an Irish school.
Spielzeugland (Toyland) dir. Jochen Freydank – Germany
Germany 1942. A mother convinces her son that the Jewish neighbors are going on a journey to ‘Toyland’.
ANIMATION (8:00pm)
Lavatory – Lovestory dir. Konstantin Bronzit – Russia
A lonely toilet attendant attempts to uncover the identity of her secret admirer.
La Maison En Petits Cubes (Pieces of Love) dir. Kunio Kato – Japan
An old man battles to save his house in an attempt to beat the rising tide.
Oktapodi dir. Julien Bocabeille – France
Two Octopi fight for their lives in a comical escape through the streets of a small Greek village.
This Way Up dirs. Adam Foulkes & Alan Smith – UK
Laying the dead to rest has never been so much trouble.
Presto dir. Doug Sweetland – United States
A stage magician’s rabbit gets into a magical onstage brawl against his neglectful guardian with two magic hats
Varmints dir. Marc Craste – UK
A creature struggles to preserve a world in danger of being destroyed through recklessness and indifference.
John and Karen dir. Matthew Walker – UK
Two animals attempt to resolve their relationship issues.
Gopher Broke produced by Blur Studios – United States
There is no such thing as a free lunch.
Skhizein dir. Jeremy Clapin – France
Poor Henry has been struck by a meteorite and yet, miraculously, he’s still here. Well, not exactly, just a few centimetres further along than the rest of us. 91 centimetres to be precise!
Hot Dog dir. Bill Plympton, United States
An intrepid dog goes to work for the fire department.