A petite film crafted in Montreal has struck gold by clinching one of the top accolades in the film industry. Titled “The Girl Who Cried Pearls,” directed by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, this production snagged the prestigious Oscar for the best animated short film at this year’s Academy Awards.
The 17-minute stop-motion creation delves into the narrative of a young, underprivileged boy and a girl whose tears transform into pearls. The storyline delves into the themes of love, avarice, and the repercussions of exploiting someone’s suffering.
During their acknowledgment speech, Lavis and Szczerbowski kicked off by expressing gratitude to their families for unwavering support. “I guess people assume it requires patience to invest five years in crafting a puppet film,” quipped Lavis. “In reality, it demands patience to cohabit with someone spending five years on a puppet film.”
The dynamic duo extended their gratitude to the collaborative community that contributed to bringing the film to life, including the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), the show’s producers, and other esteemed collaborators such as Brigitte Henry, Patrick Watson, Colm Feore, and James Heinemann.
Szczerbowski also made a heartfelt acknowledgment, resonating with audiences back home. “To swiftly express our gratitude, we sincerely appreciate our exceptional neighborhood and the remarkably talented group of artists we’ve been fortunate to collaborate with,” he expressed. “Thank you, the vibrant city of Montreal. Thank you, Canada.”
In a post-win interview, Szczerbowski recounted his family’s exodus from Poland years back in pursuit of a better life in Canada, escaping in a modest Yugoslavian car with just two suitcases, a mere fortnight before the imminent Russian invasion.
“If they could witness the joy within me regarding the country they chose for our residence, it would bring tears to their eyes. If my mother could comprehend this, it would deeply move her,” he shared with The Canadian Press over the phone.
The film notably highlights Montreal as its centerpiece, with Lavis mentioning to CBC’s Dionne Codrington how the city profoundly influenced the storytelling, particularly set in and around 1912-13.
While the film was a five-year endeavor, a pivotal moment years earlier planted the seed, as Szczerbowski recalled a scene where an actress was asked to shed tears, only realizing afterward that the pearl necklace in her costume had broken, leading to the eventual inspiration for the film.
Producer Christine Noël emphasized from Los Angeles the collective effort behind the victory, highlighting the integral role of the creative community in film production. She expressed hope that the win would prompt more viewers to explore the film and the burgeoning animation talent emerging from Montreal.
“The Girl Who Cried Pearls” was produced by the NFB, marking its 12th Oscar triumph and adding to its illustrious track record. While it marked the first Oscar win for Lavis and Szczerbowski, the duo had previously received a nomination for the 2007 short “Madame Tutli-Putli,” sparking a successful 20-year collaboration as described by the NFB.
In Canada, “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” is accessible for free on NFB.ca, YouTube, and all NFB apps.
