A small film crafted in Montreal has achieved great success by winning a prestigious award in the film industry. “The Girl Who Cried Pearls,” a 17-minute stop-motion creation by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, secured the Oscar for best animated short film at this year’s Academy Awards. The storyline revolves around a young boy and girl, where tears transform into pearls, delving into themes of love, greed, and the repercussions of exploiting suffering.
During their acceptance remarks, Lavis and Szczerbowski expressed gratitude to their families for their unwavering support. They humorously highlighted the patience required not in making a puppet film over five years, but in living with someone undertaking such a lengthy creative process.
The duo extended appreciation to the collaborative efforts of the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), the show’s producers, and various talented individuals who contributed to the film’s realization. Szczerbowski also acknowledged the vibrant artistic community in Montreal, emphasizing the city’s role in their creative journey.
In a post-win interview, Szczerbowski shared a touching narrative of his family’s immigration from Poland to Canada, reflecting on the profound impact of their choice on his current success. The film’s narrative closely connects with Montreal, which plays a central role in the storyline set around 1912-13.
The filmmakers recounted an anecdote where an inadvertent mishap led to the inception of the film’s concept, illustrating the serendipitous nature of creative inspiration. Producer Christine Noël highlighted the collaborative effort involved in filmmaking, emphasizing the significance of community support in achieving such milestones.
The National Film Board of Canada, which produced the award-winning short film, celebrated its 12th Oscar win, adding to its prestigious accolades. While this marked the first Oscar triumph for Lavis and Szczerbowski, their journey began with a nomination for the 2007 short film “Madame Tutli-Putli,” sparking a longstanding collaboration with the NFB.
“The Girl Who Cried Pearls” is now accessible for free on NFB.ca, YouTube, and all NFB apps, providing a platform for audiences to discover the artistic talent emerging from Montreal.