Chile wins his first Oscar for animated short at Academy Awards

 Santiago, February 29.- The four years that the crew of PunkRobot dedicated to the realization of “Historia de un oso” (“Bear Story”) -directed by Gabriel Osorio and produced by Patricio Escala- all paid off, with the achievement of one of cinema’s most prestigious awards: an Oscar for Best Animated Short, winning over “Prologue” (United Kingdom), “We Can’t Live Without Cosmos” (Russia), “World of Tomorrow” (United States), and “Sanjay’s Super Team” by American animation giant Pixar. Additionally, the short lays one of the greatest landmarks of Chilean cinema, earning the first statuette for our country following its second nomination (the first being feature film “No” by Pablo Larraín, in 2014).

Prior to this achievement, there was a long festival trajectory that earned more than 50 prizes for Osorio’s film around the world. Of these, four festival winnings were key in securing its Oscar Qualification: only winning one is enough to enter the running for the Oscars. The 10-minute short narrates the life of a father bear who is kidnapped, taken from his family and forced to work in a circus. Inspired by the story of the director’s grandfather, who was taken prisoner after the Military Coup D’état in 1973 and exiled during Pinochet’s dictatorship, the story portrays the feeling of forced separation and statelessness, which can be read beyond its political context.

With an encompassing score composed by Dënver, the first short by production company PunkRobot and by Gabriel Osorio -who studied Visual Arts at the University of Chile- is done in 3D and, although it has a stop-motion look, is a completely digital work. The film was realized with the help of the National Council for Culture and the Arts (CNCA) of Chile, the Corporation for Production Development (CORFO), and the University of the Americas.

Regarding the Oscars, as producer Patricio Escala had already reiterated in interviews with national media, one of the objectives of winning was to demonstrate that high-quality animation work is being done in Chile and that it’s vital for the support system to continue to exist so that Chilean animation can continue to grow.

 Thus, this honor underscores a key moment that the national animation industry is in, a fact that Germán Acuña, president of Animachi (Chilean Animation Association), assures: “At Animachi we’ve noticed the interest in the conversations with the CNCA, ProChile, or Corfo given that ‘Bear Story’ has been gaining recognition abroad, because everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon of success and that’s all well and good. Just its nomination has had a positive impact that we have to capitalize on.” Acuña explains that it’s now that the work model, which until now has sustained itself, has to take a leap.

 “Behind every work there’s a huge investment of time, the money of each person, hours of work; the animator is truly a workaholic because the art requires it, because the times are not the same as traditional film. This personal effort has borne fruit, but it can’t be maintained forever. We hope that this is the first generation that had to do that work in opening the path, but we need public support, not only to make what we want to make but also to transform this into a grand industry.” He adds, “Animation has potential to be an incredible investment because they’re massive products that don’t necessarily lose the capacity to be emotive or important. Pixar has demonstrated that.”

PROJECTS TO COME...

The historic triumph of “Bear Story” marks the beginning of a year expected to see great new works by the local animation industry. At the moment, according to Acuña, between 4 and 5 animated feature-length projects are being developed, plus several others such as television series and shorts. Among them is one he himself will direct with production company Carburadores: “Nahuel and the Magic Book,” a film that narrates the story of a young son of a fisherman who has a phobia of the sea, and to overcome it, wanting to be closer to his father, he uses a magic book, coveted by an evil wizard. “Nahuel and the Magic Book” will be shown as a made-for-TV movie on open television, through winning a grant from CNTV in that category.

 Another of the awaited projects is “Homeless,” a series for adult audiences and winner of CNTV, created by José Ignacio Navarro, Santiago O’Ryan, and Jorge Campusano, which tells of a rich, overprotected albino boy who dreams of living like three vagabonds he knows, living self-exiled from the system. It was already shown for one season on La Red channel, and now there are 13 episodes ready at 24 minutes each. Additionally, and thanks to the support of the audiovisual grant, they are already working on the movie, which is expected to premiere in June of 2016, a co-production between Lunes and Fábula.

 “The Mango Brothers” is another film expected to screen in 2018, and a story about two aliens who seek to invade the Earth. It’s a feature-length 3D science-fiction comedy. The direction is led by Alvaro Ceppi of Zumbástico Studios. The film won the Audiovisual Grant this year.

 “Cuenta la leyenda” (Tell the Legend) is a terror series of 13 episodes at 13 minutes a piece, which is currently in post-production and follows the story of two brothers who travel through Chile with their mother and grandfather, who tell them about characters such as La Llorona and el Tuetué. In charge of the executive production is Teresa Salinas, of Yestay Productions. The project won the CNTV and will be directed by Jorge Olguín and Julio Pot.

 For pre-schoolers, “Petit, the monster” is a co-production of Pájaro and Argentinian Smilehood and HC Films. There are 26 of 7 minutes in duration, based on the work of Argentinian illustrator Isol, which will be ready in 12 months.

 Meanwhile, feature film “El ojo del gato” (The Eye of the Cat”) directed by Patricio Gamonal, brings to the big screen the series of the same name first aired by Channel 13. In “Los próceres más posers” (The Poser Founding Fathers), a boy wrecks his history teacher’s time machine, bringing to the present such characters as Bernardo O’Higgins, Elena Caffarena, Lautaro, and Paula Jaraquemada. It’s a production of Houston and received support from the University of Gabriel Mistral.

 “Here’s the Plan” is a 3D short about a baker couple made up of a cat and a dog who must postpone their dream of starting a bakery after their oven breaks. 16 minutes in duration, it is directed Fernanda Frick in co-production with PunkRobot.

 “For us as an association, it’s necessary for us to double-down on our efforts and secure a more serious and committed public stimulus. It’s a conversation we put forth whenever possible and which will be our main battle,” emphasizes Acuña.