A small independent movie from Montreal has achieved great success by winning a prestigious award in the film industry. “The Girl Who Cried Pearls,” a 17-minute stop-motion film created by filmmakers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, received the Oscar for best animated short film at this year’s Academy Awards. The film narrates the tale of a young boy and girl, where the girl’s tears transform into pearls, exploring themes of love, greed, and the repercussions of exploiting someone’s pain.
During their acceptance speech, Lavis and Szczerbowski expressed gratitude to their families for their unwavering support, humorously acknowledging the patience required not just for making a puppet film but also for living with someone who dedicates five years to such a project. They extended their thanks to the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), the producers, and various collaborators, including Brigitte Henry, Patrick Watson, Colm Feore, and James Heinemann.
Szczerbowski took a moment to appreciate the local community and talented artists they had the opportunity to collaborate with, emphasizing their gratitude to Montreal and Canada. In a post-win interview, Szczerbowski reflected on his family’s journey from Poland to Canada, highlighting the emotional significance of their achievements.
The film resonates with Montreal’s essence, serving as a tribute to the city. Lavis shared that Montreal greatly influenced the storytelling process, as a significant portion of the narrative unfolds in the city around the early 1910s. The film’s inception traces back to a scene where an actress shed tears, leading to the idea of tears turning into pearls, a concept that took years to develop.
Producer Christine Noël emphasized the collective effort behind the film’s success, noting that filmmaking truly requires a community. She hoped that the Oscar win would bring more attention to the film and the animation talent flourishing in Montreal. The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) played a crucial role in producing the short, marking its 12th Oscar triumph.
While this victory marks the first Oscar win for Lavis and Szczerbowski, their collaboration dates back to the acclaimed 2007 short film, “Madame Tutli-Putli,” which kickstarted a fruitful 20-year partnership. “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” is now accessible for free on NFB.ca, YouTube, and all NFB apps, allowing audiences to enjoy this award-winning creation.
