A Montreal-produced short film has achieved great success by winning one of the film industry’s top awards. Titled “The Girl Who Cried Pearls,” created by filmmakers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, the film secured the Oscar for best animated short film at this year’s Academy Awards.
The 17-minute stop-motion animation narrates the tale of a young, underprivileged boy and a girl whose tears magically transform into pearls. The narrative delves into themes of love, avarice, and the repercussions of exploiting someone’s suffering.
During their award acceptance speech, Lavis and Szczerbowski expressed gratitude to their families for unwavering support. Lavis humorously mentioned the patience required not just in crafting a puppet film over five years but also in living with someone engaged in such a project.
The duo also extended their thanks to the collaborative community that contributed to the film’s realization, including the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), producers, and other valued partners such as Brigitte Henry, Patrick Watson, Colm Feore, and James Heinemann.
In a post-win interview, Szczerbowski shared a poignant anecdote about his parents fleeing Poland decades ago in a humble Yugoslavian car with just two suitcases shortly before a historical event. Reflecting on his win, Szczerbowski expressed how moved his parents would have been to witness the success in the country they chose for their family.
The film prominently features Montreal, with the city serving as a central backdrop. Prior to its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, Lavis highlighted how Montreal influenced the storytelling process, emphasizing the film’s homage to the city and its significant role in the narrative set in the early 1900s.
The film’s inception traces back to a scene where an actress shed tears, leading to a serendipitous moment when a pearl necklace broke, inspiring the filmmakers. The journey from this incident to the completed film spanned several years of creative development.
Producer Christine Noël underscored the collective effort that went into the film’s success, emphasizing that filmmaking is a collaborative endeavor. Noël hopes that the Oscar win will draw more attention to the film and showcase the animation talent emerging from Montreal.
“The Girl Who Cried Pearls” was produced by the NFB, marking the institution’s 12th Oscar win and adding to its prestigious accolades. While this victory marked the first Oscar triumph for Lavis and Szczerbowski, their collaboration dates back to the acclaimed 2007 short film “Madame Tutli-Putli,” sparking a remarkable 20-year partnership.
In Canada, “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” is accessible for free on NFB.ca, YouTube, and all NFB apps.
