One of the short films nominated for this year's Oscars under the animation category is Jared and Jerusha Hess' "Ninety-Five Senses," an animated monologue featuring an elderly man recounting some of his earliest life experiences regarding each of his five senses. It starts off rather innocently but takes an unexpected turn that intensifies the impact of the monologue. The film is beautifully written, with perfect clarity for audience reaction, gracefully leading us through a roller-coaster of emotions. It's a well-made short film and one that I'm glad has received one of the highest recognitions it could get.
4 Reviews
Best Story of 2024 Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts
gpeevers22 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
If you intend to see this film and haven't already seen spoilers - I would suggest not reading further if you want to get the best experience.
The film seems a simple story about a mans recollection of his life in the Southern United State and the memories he has which are closely associated with his sense memories.
But then we get the big reveal that these memories belong to a man who unintentionally murdered an entire family in a fit of youthful rage.
The animation is fine and different animators handle the different senses - but for me the strength of the film is the story.
Yes it is a condemnation of the death penalty - which is ok with me - the legal system has biases (gender, racial, social, etc.) - and that alone should bring into question the use of the death penalty.
The film seems a simple story about a mans recollection of his life in the Southern United State and the memories he has which are closely associated with his sense memories.
But then we get the big reveal that these memories belong to a man who unintentionally murdered an entire family in a fit of youthful rage.
The animation is fine and different animators handle the different senses - but for me the strength of the film is the story.
Yes it is a condemnation of the death penalty - which is ok with me - the legal system has biases (gender, racial, social, etc.) - and that alone should bring into question the use of the death penalty.
Ninety-Five Senses: A Meditation on Life and Loss
dasuttaran31 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This is a powerful and deceptively simple animated short film. It follows Coy, an elderly man on death row, reflecting on his life through the lens of his five senses.
The film starts out slow, with Coy's folksy musings on sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound. But as he delves deeper, the revelations about his past and his present situation add emotional weight to his reflections. The seemingly basic concept of appreciating the senses transforms into a poignant exploration of wasted potential and the fragility of life.
While the animation style is minimalist, it's effective. The film's strength lies in its ability to evoke empathy and spark contemplation on life's value.
Ninety-Five Senses is a well-made and thought-provoking short film. While it might not be visually groundbreaking, it offers a powerful emotional punch. If you're looking for a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll, this is definitely worth checking out.
The film starts out slow, with Coy's folksy musings on sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound. But as he delves deeper, the revelations about his past and his present situation add emotional weight to his reflections. The seemingly basic concept of appreciating the senses transforms into a poignant exploration of wasted potential and the fragility of life.
While the animation style is minimalist, it's effective. The film's strength lies in its ability to evoke empathy and spark contemplation on life's value.
Ninety-Five Senses is a well-made and thought-provoking short film. While it might not be visually groundbreaking, it offers a powerful emotional punch. If you're looking for a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll, this is definitely worth checking out.
Radio With Pictures
boblipton18 February 2024
A man meditates on his physical senses as he waits to be executed for murder.
This is the worst of the animated shorts nominated for the Best Animated Short Oscar this year. Except for the segment about sight, it qualifies as little more than "radio with pictures". Even the part about sight isn't much more visually interesting than the other segments. I can only attribute its inclusion in the field to its anti-capital-punishment message, with, perhaps, the defense that it's not right to execute a man who is deaf, and who would not have burned his victims to death had he heard their cries of agony.
This is the worst of the animated shorts nominated for the Best Animated Short Oscar this year. Except for the segment about sight, it qualifies as little more than "radio with pictures". Even the part about sight isn't much more visually interesting than the other segments. I can only attribute its inclusion in the field to its anti-capital-punishment message, with, perhaps, the defense that it's not right to execute a man who is deaf, and who would not have burned his victims to death had he heard their cries of agony.
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