A small independent film from Montreal has achieved significant success by winning a prestigious award in the film industry. “The Girl Who Cried Pearls,” created by filmmakers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, secured the Oscar for best animated short film at this year’s Academy Awards. The 17-minute stop-motion production narrates the tale of a young boy and girl, where the girl’s tears transform into pearls, delving into themes of love, greed, and the repercussions of exploiting others’ suffering.
During their acceptance speech, Lavis and Szczerbowski expressed gratitude to their families for their unwavering support. Humorously, Lavis remarked, “People may think it requires patience to spend five years making a puppet film, but the real patience is living with someone who spends five years creating a puppet film.”
The duo also extended their thanks to the supportive community that contributed to the film’s realization, including the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), the producers of the show, and various talented collaborators such as Brigitte Henry, Patrick Watson, Colm Feore, and James Heinemann. Szczerbowski took a moment to give a special shoutout, acknowledging the incredible neighborhood and talented pool of artists they had the privilege to work with in Montreal, expressing gratitude to both the city and Canada.
In a post-win interview, Szczerbowski shared a touching anecdote about his family’s journey from Poland to Canada in search of a better life, reflecting on how proud his parents would be to witness his success. The film itself prominently features Montreal, serving as a love letter to the city, with a significant portion of the story set around 1912-13.
The film’s genesis traces back to a moment during filming where a pearl necklace broke, leading to the creative spark that eventually birthed the award-winning production. Producer Christine Noël emphasized the collective effort behind the victory, stating that filmmaking truly requires a community of dedicated individuals.
“The Girl Who Cried Pearls” was produced by the NFB, marking the organization’s 12th Oscar win and contributing to its esteemed reputation. While this win marks the first Oscar victory for Lavis and Szczerbowski, their collaboration began with the 2007 short film “Madame Tutli-Putli,” heralded as the start of a remarkable 20-year partnership.
The film is now accessible for free on NFB.ca, YouTube, and all NFB apps, showcasing the exceptional animation talent emerging from Montreal and inviting a broader audience to discover this captivating piece of cinematic artistry.