Often overlooked at Oscar® time are the three short film categories. One of those categories is Documentary Short Film. These films offer us insights into the world around us. They may be focused on controversial topics or on uplifting stories or just meeting interesting people. Some of the short films can be seen on various streaming services. The nominated short films play in select theaters each year. Locations and tickets can be found at 2024 Oscar® Nominated Short Films – ShortsTV. Here are my thoughts on this year’s nominees for Best Documentary Short Film.
The ABCs of Book Banning, directed by Sheila Nevins, 27 minutes. More than 2000 titles have been removed from school libraries in the U.S. This film looks at some the issues involved. Much of the film is hearing from students—4th graders—who have looked at some of these books and can’t understand why they shouldn’t be allowed to read them. Some of the books that are noted in the film do hold controversial ideas, but many are so benign it defies logic that children should be barred from reading them.
I have to say that I find the concept of banning books to be offensive. It should be considered a violation of the very concept for freedom of speech but, beyond the legal issues, I find it morally repugnant that some will try to block the sharing of ideas. Ideas can be talked about, even with children. Talk about them, don’t ban them. The ABCs of Book Banning is streaming in Paramount+.
The Barber of Little Rock, directed by John Hoffman and Christine Turner, 35 minutes. This is a look at generative wealth and poverty as it often affects Black Americans. In Little Rock, Arkansas, a barber has started to do something that will help his community. First, he started a barber college, training many people how to make a living. But that is not enough, he has also started a non-profit community based financial institution that will make loans that other banks will not. They also often make grants for housing or to those just released from prison.
Arlo Washington, the barber, is a man of compassion, insight, and ingenuity. The issues of opportunity and inequality are certainly complex, but he is finding ways to build his community by creating jobs and business. Racism obviously is still very real, but this film gives a brief glimpse at one of the ways people are trying to rise above it.
Island In Between, directed by S. Leo Chiang, 19 minutes. Chaing was raised in Taiwan, but spent many years in the U.S. On his return to Taiwan, he reflects on the uneasy peace between that country and mainland China. Growing up, he was inculcated with the idea that they would, with U.S. help, retake China from the Communists. The key to this would be the island of Kinmen, just a few miles from the coast of mainland China. Now many people travel from there to the mainland on a half hour ferry ride.
Many of us think of Taiwan as a potential geopolitical trouble spot (if we think of it at all). Chaing sees it as home. Chaing expresses some nostalgia for the bellicose rhetoric of the past, but also understands the reality of Taiwan’s existence and the U.S. role in the situation. What was the first line of defense against invasion is now a jumping off point from sharing between the two nations. He also wonders briefly if the countries could work out reunification, if left on their own.
The Last Repair Shop, directed by Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers, 35 minutes. The L.A. Unified School Districts is one of the last that provides students with musical instruments. This film takes us to the warehouse where technicians repair those 80,000 instruments. We meet four of those technicians, as well as four students. Each shares what music and these instruments have meant to their lives.
I think it’s wonderful that LAUSD has made this commitment to music education in their schools. I’m a firm believer that music should be an essential part of the educational process. This film is a celebration of the place music has in people’s lives. It ends with an orchestra made up of students, former students, and technicians.
Năi Nai and Waì Pó, directed by Sean Wang, 16 minutes. Năi Nai and Waì Pó are the director’s grandmothers, aged 83 (feels like 20) and 94 (feels like 100), who live together. They consider themselves like sisters. Each day, they do some exercises, dance, and tease each other a lot about their flatulence. They also share a bit of the wisdom they have collected through the years. “The days we spend feeling pain and the days we spend feeling joy are the same, days spent. So I’m going to choose joy.”
The two women give us insight into life that may have obstacles, but that when faced with someone who cares for us, can be enjoyed and relished. When it comes time for the red carpet at the awards, I don’t care who is wearing whose clothing or jewelry; these two should be the highlight of the red carpet. Năi Nai and Waì Pó can be seen on Disney+ and Hulu.
My top two choices would be The ABCs of Book Banning and The Barber of Little Rock, because they both touch on issues that will affect our society for years to come, and both look to creating a more inclusive and just world.
Photos courtesy of ShortsTV.
