Best Animated Short Film: ‘In the Shadow of the Cypress’ Triumphs at Oscars

Iranian Directors Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi Celebrate Oscar Victory

The Oscar for Best Animated Short Film went to “In the Shadow of the Cypress,” a wordless 20-minute animated film from married Iranian directors Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi. The film explores a father’s post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its impact on his daughter in their house by the sea. This poignant story highlights the difficulties faced by war veterans in Iran and their families.

Overcoming Challenges to Attend the Oscars

Sohani and Molayemi faced significant challenges in attending the Oscars. They had trouble obtaining a visa and only received it the day before the ceremony. Despite their disappointment, they managed to arrive in Los Angeles just three hours before the event. “We were so totally disappointed,” said Sohani, “and now we are here”.

A Milestone for Iranian Animation

The victory of “In the Shadow of the Cypress” marks a significant milestone for Iranian animation in the global film industry. The film stood out in a category often dominated by Western studios, showcasing the talent and creativity of Iranian filmmakers.

Plot of ‘In the Shadow of the Cypress’

The film revolves around a former sea captain, suffering from PTSD, who lives with his daughter in an isolated seaside house. One morning, the father destroys the house in a violent rage and shoves his daughter to the ground. She packs a suitcase and prepares to leave, but is interrupted when she steps outside and discovers a beached whale close to their home.

The father and daughter attempt to rescue the whale by dragging it back into the water with their small motorboat, but their efforts fail. Frustrated, the father returns to his dilapidated ship that is anchored near the whale.

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Despite the ship’s poor condition, he clings to its memory, continuing to paint it and live inside it. However, he suffers traumatic flashbacks of an earlier incident, when the ship was bombed at sea, leading to the death of his wife when their daughter was still a young girl.

Meanwhile, the daughter cares for the whale, feeding it water and protecting it from the hot sun. When a flock of seagulls tries to attack the whale, the father initially chases them off with a shot from his rifle, but then attempts to shoot the whale while still in a rage.

The daughter shoves him away before he can do so. She falls to the ground, devastated that they cannot save the whale. Shaken by the sight of her, the father returns to the ship. In the morning, the daughter looks out the window and realizes that her father is scuttling his ship, tying it to the whale’s tail in an effort to finally save it.

The plan works, but the father struggles to free the whale from the rope. The daughter attempts to dive and save him, but cannot. Fortunately, the father eventually floats to the surface, having finally untethered himself from the old boat, and the freed whale swims off into the ocean.

Cast of ‘In the Shadow of the Cypress’

The film features Zahra Moosavi as the voice of the daughter. Her performance, along with the film’s powerful narrative, captivated audiences and contributed to its success at the Oscars.