For nearly a century, the Academy Awards have been given to Hollywood’s favorite movies and the people who made them—from "Casablanca" and "Titanic" to 2018’s winner, "Green Book." There are several categories for the Oscars that cover a multitude of spectrums ranging from creative aspects to individual performances. There is even an academy award for Documentary Short, in which Heaven Is A Traffic Jam on The 405 won the Oscar in 2016. The awards are not as clean cut as say a raffle, since it requires objectivity and non-bias acknowledgement. However, in the industry of showbiz, that is a trait that is shortcoming, directly for the bigwigs of the entertainment industry.
In watching three short Documentaries, the first being Heaven Is A Traffic Jam On The 405, as well as Period. End of Sentence, and Finally Black Sheep. All three were compelling stories, delivering a rising narrative, establishing an arc and delivering on a resolution. Yet it is the content, which determines the winner to receive the prize as Best in Show. What makes these stories so compelling and placed into a running for such a prestigious award, beyond the scope of opinion and unfair predisposition. I would say the personal touches, relatable and intimate aspects of the story that reflects the subject vulnerabilities and exposes them as victories evolving into self-growth, self-worth making the narrative stronger in their convictions.
Of all three, I felt that Heaven Is A Traffic Jam on The 405, heralded higher than all three. In the narrative itself, as in the title, shared a viewpoint of the main character (Mindy Alper) that was different from normal concepts. Most people would consider a Traffic Jam annoying, and frustrating. However, Mindy’s personal perception, is that its one of the highlights of her day. Perhaps it’s a time for reflection, one which she can think about her art, her life, her family, and what she wants to do next. Regardless of what she is thinking or doing, we as the audience become intrigued by the simple phrase, and it helps draw us into the story. I believe the most compelling attributes would have to be the story, being told in her own words. Her emotions are real, we witness her environment, as she recalls very personal and significant accounts of her childhood, upbringing, abuse, and depression. She invites us to partake in her journey from awkward obscurity, to accepting who she is and how she found her purpose. The editing juxtaposed her artwork with the narrative, allowing the audience to view her intimate accounts from her perspective, as she saw and remembered them. It was heartbreaking, emotional and regardless of who watched it, the film was relatable, not in the regard as to placing one in the same situation, but to acknowledge understanding of what someone went through, and how they were impacted by their circumstances. We as the audience can witness ourselves in her shoes and understand how her paradigm can emulate references within ourselves to our own lives.
Period. End of Sentence. Was another interesting documentary. In a rural village outside Delhi, India, women fight against the deeply rooted stigma of menstruation. For generations, these women didn't have access to pads, which lead to health problems and girls missing school or dropping out entirely. The women learn to manufacture and market their own pads, empowering the women of their community. The story accounts how these determined group of women take matters into their own hands and begin to start a movement, through self determination and perseverance. The differences in the two stories is paramount. This story is a group project, discussing how a movement manifested, it only considers the development of the project, and why the women wanted to be involved. The story was progressive, with very little conflict. However, one could argue it to be a triumph for the women that had to struggle with menstruation without any significant solution.
The Final Short was Black Sheep. Meet Cornelius, after the high-profile killing of a young adolescent, his mother moved their family out of London only to find themselves living in a community rife with racism. But rather than fight back, Cornelius became more like the people who hated him, an extraordinary story of fractured identity and the things we do to survive. The story is narrated by Cornelius, it dictates his battle with acceptance, not only from the community, but from his own demons, of how he represents his own existence. The story shares snippets of scenes as he struggles with his internal morals of how to coexist with his peers. The story is compelling, but it hits hard on the narrative and Cornelius’ expressions, more than the visuals of the actual events. I believe the film was Oscar worthy. However, being in the running for the Oscars, I found Heaven Is A Traffic Jam on The 405 to be a more engaging experience.