Tehran – Co-directed by Hossein Moreimi and Shirin Sohani, Iranian short animated film “In the Shadow of the Cypress,” won the best animated short film at the 97th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at the Harleywood & Highland Centre in Hollywood on March 2nd.
The 20-minute animation won awards competing with four other short animations, including the short “Beautiful Man” from Belgium and France, the Japanese “Magic Candy”, the Dutch animation “Wonder Twonder” and “Yak!” The IRNA reported from France.
This was the second Iranian animated or live action short film nominated for an Oscar, and won first. Last year, Iran’s short animation by Yegane Mogadam, “Our Uniform,” was competing for the Oscars of the best animated short film at the 96th Academy Awards, but it didn’t win an award.
In total, it was Iran’s third Oscar after winning the Asghar Farhadi award for the “Segregation” and “Salesman” wins in 2011 and 2016, respectively.
In an acceptance speech, filmmakers Moreimi and Sohani said, “We dedicate the film and this special award to all those who are still fighting in battles both inside and outside, heroically dedicated to anyone, no one knows it.”
“It’s a miracle and speaking in front of this expected audience is very difficult for us. Yes, if we remain faithful, miracles happen,” Moreimi said.
In “The Shadow of Cypress,” the 2023 production of the Institute for Intellectual Development for Children and Young Adults (known as Canoons) depicts a former captain suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who lives with his daughter in a humble house on the beach. Together, they are isolated from the world and must face the challenges of their situation. One morning, an unexpected event will change their lives forever.
Their tough, secluded lives are drawn from their isolation by the unexpected arrival of bound whales. When his daughter refuses to give up on the animals, the captain faces his own demon in this moving universal story about resilience.
According to the director, the film is, in a sense, a homage to veterans of the Iran-Iraq War, especially those still suffering from PTSD.
The pair told Variety Magazine in a previous interview that the short film would take six years to end as it was fully self-funded through development and production. They also said that although they had been under sanctions for years, things got worse and “it’s become even more complicated since President Trump took office.”
Previously, “Shadow of Cypress” received massive acclaim at the LA Shorts International Film Festival, the Rev International Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival.
It also left a considerable impression by putting multiple nominations in the Venice International Film Festival, Annie Awards, Annancy International Animation Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival and Clemond Ferand International Film Festival in the bag.
SS/SAB