“The Girl Who Cried Pearls” Wins Oscar for Canadian Animators
Montreal-based filmmakers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski have won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for their stop-motion film, The Girl Who Cried Pearls. The film, produced by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), tells the story of a destitute boy in early 20th-century Montreal who falls in love with a girl whose tears turn into pearls. Variety reported on the win, noting Lavis’s surprise at receiving the award.
A Tale of Greed and Innocence
The Girl Who Cried Pearls, a 17-minute stop-motion animation, explores themes of greed, innocence, and moral decay. The narrative centers on a young boy who discovers the extraordinary secret of a girl living nearby. As he begins to exploit her gift for personal gain, the film unfolds as a haunting fable. Cartoon Brew describes the film as “hauntingly beautiful” and highlights its blend of gothic realism and lyrical surrealism.
Previous Recognition and Production Details
This Oscar win marks the second Academy Award nomination for Lavis and Szczerbowski, following their 2008 nomination for Madame Tutli-Putli. The NFB, which produced The Girl Who Cried Pearls, now has 39 nominations in the animated short film category, ranking it third behind Disney and MGM. Variety details this history.
The film also received an Annie Award nomination for Best Short Subject, making it one of only three shorts to receive both an Oscar and Annie nomination. Variety reported this double recognition.
A Collaborative Effort Rooted in Montreal
Szczerbowski emphasized the collaborative nature of the film’s creation, stating, “This victory belongs to the Plateau [Mont-Royal], which is full of talent!” The filmmakers highlighted the importance of their local community, noting that much of the work was completed during the pandemic with artists living within a mile radius of each other. Variety shared these details.
An accidental design element – oversized puppet heads – emerged during production when Lavis and Szczerbowski were working separately and discovered a scaling issue. This became a signature aesthetic of the film.
Celebrating Canadian Talent
The film’s soundtrack features contributions from Patrick Watson, Richard Reed Parry of Arcade Fire, Sophie Trudeau of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Becky Foon of Esmerine, further showcasing the rich artistic community of Montreal. Variety highlighted these musical collaborators.
Szczerbowski dedicated the award to his mother, a Polish immigrant, acknowledging her sacrifices to provide opportunities for her children. He also expressed hope that the filmmakers would finally receive free beers from their favorite Montreal bar, Else’s, in recognition of their achievement.
You can watch The Girl Who Cried Pearls on the NFB website.