A Montreal-produced indie film has achieved great success by winning a prestigious award in the film industry. “The Girl Who Cried Pearls,” crafted by filmmakers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, secured the Oscar for best animated short film at this year’s Academy Awards. The 17-minute stop-motion production narrates the tale of a young impoverished boy and a girl whose tears transform into pearls, delving into themes of affection, avarice, and the repercussions of exploiting someone’s anguish.
During their acknowledgment speech, Lavis and Szczerbowski expressed gratitude to their families for unwavering support. Lavis humorously remarked, “I guess people think it takes patience to dedicate five years to crafting a puppet film,” highlighting the endurance required to coexist with someone engrossed in such a lengthy creative endeavor.
The duo extended thanks to the collaborative community that contributed to bringing the film to life, acknowledging entities such as the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), the show’s producers, and other valuable partners like Brigitte Henry, Patrick Watson, Colm Feore, and James Heinemann. Szczerbowski additionally offered a heartfelt acknowledgment, resonating with viewers by expressing gratitude to their remarkable neighborhood and the talented artist community they had the privilege to collaborate with, appreciating the city of Montreal and the nation of Canada.
In a post-win interview, Szczerbowski recounted his family’s migration from Poland to Canada in pursuit of a better life, escaping just before impending turmoil. Reflecting on his parents’ sacrifices, he shared his emotional response to their joy if they were to witness the recognition their chosen country had bestowed upon him.
The film prominently showcases Montreal, with Lavis emphasizing the city’s influence on the storytelling, particularly set in the early 1900s. The concept for the film emerged years prior during a shoot where a prop mishap led to an unexpected visual, eventually evolving into the inspiration for the award-winning production.
Producer Christine Noël highlighted the collective effort behind the victory, emphasizing the importance of community in filmmaking. She expressed hope that the film’s success would attract more viewers to explore the animation talent emerging from Montreal. The short, produced by the NFB, marks the organization’s 12th Oscar win, adding to its distinguished record of accomplishments.
Although their first Oscar win, Lavis and Szczerbowski had previously been nominated for the 2007 short film, “Madame Tutli-Putli,” initiating a successful two-decade collaboration as acknowledged by the NFB. “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” is freely accessible in Canada on NFB platforms like NFB.ca, YouTube, and all NFB applications.