A One Mann’s Movies review of the nominations for the Oscars in the “Documentary Short Film” Category.
I’ve not done separate reviews for these Oscar “Documentary Short” nominees but am including brief reviews for them in this one post.
Incident (2023).
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
A black man is shot by police on the streets of Chicago. By law, all Illinois police bodycam footage is made available to the public. This documentary pieces together that footage.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (I would guess this would be a ’15’ for graphic scenes of violence. ).
Talent:
Directed by: Bill Morrison.
Running Time: 30m.
“Incident” Review:
Given the high volatility of police action against black citizens, this is by its very nature an incendiary documentary. We see the actions of the police from a 3rd party point of view (webcam camera) and the aftermath of the shooting from the point of view of all of the officer’s bodycams. The first party view of the shooter is shown at the end of the film.
This is a well made film, showing such a kaleidoscope of different images on the screen at the same time that it is sometimes difficult to know what you should be looking at. It adds an immediacy to the action that gets your adrenaline running, as the aftermath leads to street protests from a rapidly gathering crowd.
Different points of view are thrown around, from the police officers trying to justify their action to inaccurate comments from some of the bystanders (his barber colleague adamantly claims he was unarmed which was blatantly untrue even though he had a valid permit to carry a concealed weapon.)
For follow-up reading, the Cook County report into the shooting is on the web here and officer Dillan Halley’s (ongoing) police record is available here. I’ll leave you to form your own conclsion as to whether you think justice was served.
Where You Can Watch It:
At the time of writing, the film is available to watch for free on the New Yorker web site here.
Trailer for “Incident”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LruJev6IyZQ.
Instruments of a Beating Heart (2024)
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
First graders in a Tokyo elementary school have to perform a rendition of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” to welcome the new incoming first graders during their first visit to the school. The pressure on the youngsters to get their parts right is high.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (I would guess this would be a ‘PG’ as there is nothing offensive in it. Older children may find it very informative)
Talent:
Directed by: Ema Ryan Yamazaki.
Running Time: 23m.
“Instruments of a Beating Heart” Review:
This is a delightful insight into the Japanese culture of excellence instilled into children at an early age. In turns heartbreaking; in turns inspirational, the film highlights the caring but no-nonsense attitude that the Japanese have. The contrast with current Western methods of communication with children is stark. In a similar situation in Britain, where a 5-year-old made a mistake with a musical part, it would be “Oh, little Johnny, that was really good, but perhaps you need to add two beats after that first one?”. The “N-word” (“No!”) would be completely off the table. Here, where young Ayame gets her cymbals part wrong it is “NO! THAT’S WRONG!! Did you practice enough at home? Do you want me to replace you?” reducing the poor girl to tears. The pressure is immense, but then the joy of success seems greater still.
The music teacher could be being perceived as a bit of a bully. However his delight in his student’s improvement and their ultimate performance is undiluted. Ayame’s form tutor’s love and support for the young girl is truly touching and lovely to see.
I don’t think this is a ground-breaking documentary, but it is certainly a delightful one.
Where You Can Watch It:
At the time of writing, “Instruments of a Beating Heart” is available to watch for free on the New York Times website here and on Vimeo here.
Trailer for “Instruments of a Beating Heart”:
The trailer is here: https://youtu.be/ZRuHEcPSaPM .
The Only Girl in the Orchestra (2023)
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
The story of Orin O’Brien, the first ever female member of Leonard Bernstein’s New York Philharmonic. hestra.
Certification:
UK: U; US: G. (Netflix rating)
Talent:
Directed by: Molly O’Brien.
Running Time: 34m.
“The Only Girl in the Orchestra” Review:
What an amazing lady! Now 90 years old, she looks no more than 70 and has an amazingly spritely mind and body. Orin O’Brien was the daughter of Hollywood actors George O’Brien, a famous western star, and Marguerite Churchill, and the film features clips from some of their films. The majority of the film though looks at her history with the Philharmonic, the outrageously sexist newspaper comments when she was first appointed in 1969 (“..as curvy as the double bass she carries”!), and her ongoing teaching of new students.
It’s an interesting insight into a woman of substance, even though she downplays her own importance in life and the arts. But to be honest, at 35 minutes, it rather outstayed its welcome for me. There was rather too much of the teaching sessions shown and I got a bit bored with it.
Where You Can Watch It:
“The Only Girl in the Orchestra” is currently available to watch on Netflix.
Trailer for “The Only Girl in the Orchestra”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNojvRebRV4.
I am Ready, Warden (2024)
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
John Henry Ramirez is convicted of murder and sentenced to death in the state of Texas. During his incarceration, Ramirez tries to reach out to his victim’s son while also preparing to say goodbye to his family.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (There is no rating for this film at present but I would suggest it to be a ’15’ due to the distressing themes and photographs of a violent murder.)
Talent:
Directed by: Smriti Mundhra.
Running Time: 37m.
“I am Ready, Warden” Review:
This is a very powerful and well made documentary following the last 7 days – or is it? – in the life of the convicted murderer. We see both his own views; the views of his son; the views of his Christian adoptive godmother; the views of the new District DA, who is taking over Ramirez’s case; and – most powerfully – the thoughts of the son left behind at the age of 14 by the murder, now a fully grown man but still brimming with anger and revenge.
The decisions of the documentary maker are superb. At certain key moments, the camera unflinchingly stays fixed on the face of people receiving news. So much so, that it becomes uncomfortable for you as the viewer as the shot goes on and on. At one point, someone filmed in a car apologises, exits, audibly vomits, then gets back into the car and carries on.
I think this one could be a surprise winner on Sunday.
Where You Can Watch It:
The film is currently available on the Paramount+ Platform.
Trailer for “I am Ready, Warden”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDk9Vxe2d6Y
Death by Numbers (2024)
Bob the Movie Man Rating
Plot Summary:
Four years after being shot with an AR-15 in her high school, Samantha Fuentes reckons with existential questions of hatred and justice as she prepares to confront her shooter.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (But I think this would be a ’12’ for intense scenes of confrontation and violent descriptions.).
Talent:
Directed by: Kim A. Snyder.
Written by: Sam Fuentes
Running Time: 33m.
“Death By Numbers” Review:
“Death by Numbers” features the formidable young woman Sam Fuentes, burning with anger at the young Nazi-sympathiser who massacred 17 students at Parkland in Florida. He also injured Sam, both physically and mentally. After pleading guilty to the shootings, the shooter (I won’t give him the respect of naming him) is subject to a jury trial to determine whether he should face life imprisonment or the death sentence. There is also a victim-impact session where Sam can fully vent at the sad young delinquent standing meekly in the dock.
It’s a solid documentary that is always interesting. A good editorial decision is to paint a big black cross over the defendants face every time he appears on camera, giving the cowardly jerk the disrespect he deserves.
Trailer for “Death By Numbers”:
I couldn’t find a full trailer for this online but here is a short segment: https://youtube.com/shorts/Q6GjWCzTHaU .
Who will Win the Documentary Short Film Oscar?
So, I’ve managed to see all of the Documentary Short Films this year. They are all pretty good this time and I think there are a few it *could* go to. I think I will pick “I Am Ready, Warden” for my choice to win. But in a quite ‘heavy’ category, my personal favourite was the delightful “Instruments of a Beating Heart”.
