Souvenir Souvenir is an animated documentary short film directed by Bastien Dubois[1] and produced by Amiel Tenenbaum, Simon Pénochet and Bastien Dubois. The short has been awarded in a number of festivals including in Clermont-Ferrand Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, Short Film Award and Sundance Film Festival and won an Annie Award in Best Short Subject category in 2021.[2][3] It has been shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.[4]
| Souvenir Souvenir | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Bastien Dubois |
| Produced by | Amiel Tenenbaum Simon Pénochet Bastien Dubois |
| Music by | Antonio Vivaldi Anetha Vandy Roc John Hunter Jr Jonathan Slott |
| Distributed by | Miyu Distribution |
Release date |
|
Running time | 15 min 10 seconds |
| Country | France |
Production
editThis animated documentary is based on true facts about the Algerian war, intertwined with the director's family life and most of the voices are narrated by the characters themselves. The use of layers and superpositions by paint, blurry and grainy textures by the illustrator Jorge Gonzales[5] match the layers of secrecy of the narrative. The film has two styles: a cartoony 2D animation, made by Train-Train studio and 3D models that mimic 2D hand-drawing and textures. Details were also added by hand-dray and TV paint.
Plot
editFor ten years, a filmmaker attempts to make a movie out of his grandfather's Algerian war souvenirs. Both a historical denial and family taboo, the questions raised by the topic fail to be answered, and both personal and collective memory are left unsaid.[6] The narrative shifts from the incapacity to speak, to the ability to ask the right question, and less about the grandfather experience and more about the making of a film.
Accolades
editSince its launch, the film has been selected in various festivals and academies around the world:
| Year | Ceremony | Award/Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival | Best French-language animated film[7] | Won |
| Bogoshorts | Best International Short Film | Won | |
| Les Sommets du cinéma d'animation | Grand Prize | Won | |
| Tubingen Stuttgart International French-language Film Festival | Grand Prize for Best Short Film | Won | |
| Trouville Off-Courts Film Festival | Jury Special Mention | Won | |
| 2021 | Seattle International Film Festival | Documentary Grand Jury Award[8] | Won |
| Mecal | Grand Prix[9] | Won | |
| Pittsburgh Film Festival | Best Animation[10] | Won | |
| Animest | Best Documentary[11] | Won | |
| Sundance International Film Festival | Short Film Jury Award to the Best Animation[12] | Won | |
| Annie Awards | Best short film[14] | Won | |
| Oscars | Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film[15] | Shortlisted |
The short was part of the world touring screening The Animation Showcase 2021.
References
edit- ^ "Souvenir Souvenir (2020)". www.unifrance.org (in French). Retrieved 24 September 2021.
- ^ Flores, Terry (17 April 2021). "'Soul' and 'Wolfwalkers' Take Top Honors at Annie Awards". Variety. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ Giardina, Carolyn (17 April 2021). "'Soul,' 'Wolfwalkers' Wins Annie Awards in Features". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ "INTERVIEW: Bastien Dubois Back on Oscar Shortlist with "Souvenir Souvenir" – Animation Scoop".
- ^ McDonnell, Chris (2 October 2015). "Artist of the Day: Jorge González". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ "From Family Secrecy To Sundance Success: The Unusual Production Of 'Souvenir Souvenir'". Cartoon Brew. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ France, Centre (3 February 2021). "Cinéma - Un jour / Un court : Souvenir souvenir, de Bastien Dubois". www.lamontagne.fr. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ "SIFF 2021 Award Winners". www.siff.net. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ "AWARDS 2021". Mecal. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ "Pittsburgh Shorts Past Winners". filmpittsburgh.org. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ ""Souvenir Souvenir" de Bastien Dubois élu meilleur court métrage d'animation au festival de Sundance". Magelis (in French). Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ "Regardez le court métrage "Souvenir souvenir" de Bastien Dubois, primé à Sundance". Télérama (in French). 11 February 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (17 April 2021). "'Soul' Edges 'Wolfwalkers' For Most Trophies At Annie Awards; Three For TV's 'Hilda' Leads Field – Winners List". Deadline. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
- ^ "INTERVIEW: Bastien Dubois Back On Oscar Shortlist With "Souvenir Souvenir" – Animation Scoop". www.animationscoop.com. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ "Bastien Dubois Uncovers a Shadowed Past in 'Souvenir, Souvenir'". 10 January 2022.