As this year's edition of the Academy Awards draws closer (Feb. 26), the Brillia Short Shorts Theater will showcase a new program consisting of four short films that have been either crowned or nominated with an Oscar.
The boutique theater run by well-known actor Tetsuya Bessho has put together an hourlong program featuring works from Australia, Ireland and Germany. One of the pieces, which won the short film (animated) category of the Oscars in 2010, is a 15-minute gem titled "The Lost Thing." Directed by Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann, it's a film about a boy who discovers a bizarre-looking creature while out at the beach. Having guessed that it is lost, he tries to find out who it belongs to, but is met with mute indifference from everyone he approaches.
Meanwhile, the 2007 Irish movie "New Boy," directed by Steph Green, captures the experience of being the new boy in school through the eyes of Joseph, a 9-year-old African immigrant. Nominated for the 2008 short film (live action) category, the poignant and comedic piece is based on a short story by Roddy Doyle.
The Academy Awards shorts program runs Feb. 16-March 15 at Brillia Short Shorts Theater in Yokohama. Tickets cost ¥1,000 (¥800 for junior high school students and younger). For more information, call (045) 633-2151 or visit www.brillia-sst.jp.