Oscar-Nominated Documentaries
Even though they turn up in the long list of Academy Award categories, documentary short films are not standard fare in Cincinnati movie theaters.
Cincinnati World Cinema, however, has arranged a rare opportunity to exclusively screen the entire slate of Academy Award-nominated documentary short films, the first-ever presentation of its kind in this area.
Even though they turn up in the long list of Academy Award categories, documentary short films are not standard fare in Cincinnati movie theaters.
Cincinnati World Cinema, however, has arranged a rare opportunity to exclusively screen the entire slate of Academy Award-nominated documentary short films, the first-ever presentation of its kind in this area.
According to CWC's Tim Swallow, it may well be the first exhibition of its kind anywhere.
"Never before — according to the distributor and as best I can determine via my own research — has the public had the opportunity to see the entire slate of Academy Award-nominated documentary short films at one time and in one place," he said.
The films include:
• "A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin," which celebrates the career of America's pre-eminent radio dramatist Norman Corwin and highlights his broadcast commemorating VE Day in World War II.
• "God Sleeps in Rwanda," an uplifting but sobering film that shares the hope, resilience and dedication of the women of Rwanda as they rebuild their lives and their country.
• "The Death of Kevin Carter," set against the backdrop of apartheid in South Africa and starvation in the Sudan. This film investigates the tragic death of a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist and highlights the risks to all first-responder professions that cover trauma and extreme human distress.
• "The Mushroom Club," a timely look at the consequences of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945.
Following the screenings, Norah Bagarinka, translator for the directors of "God Sleeps in Rwanda," will participate in a discussion of the films.
"Documentary filmmaking is probably the most personal of all modes of film creation," Swallow said. "Because the documentary process is typically small-budget, this means that often just one or two people write, edit, narrate conduct interviews and do all of the camera work.
"The 'Oscar Docs' directors are diverse in terms of their approach and accomplishment, producing a rewarding and enjoyable cinematic mix."
how to go
THE NAME: Cincinnati World Cinema presents Oscar Docs 2006.
THE LOCATION: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 East Freedom Way, Cincinnati.
THE HOURS: 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 24 and Tuesday, July 25.
THE TAB: $8 adults; $6 students.
THE PHONE: (859) 781.8151; www.cincyworldcinema.org.
This story originally appeared in the Go! arts/entertainments supplement to the JournalNews, July 21, 2006).
