'AYA': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
A 40 minute French-Israeli short film; which was nominated for an Academy Award, for Best Live Action Short Film, at the upcoming 87th Academy Awards. The film tells the story of two strangers, that meet at an airport, where one mistakes the other for his driver and the other does not immediately correct his mistake. It was directed by Oded Binnun and Mihal Brezis and written by Binnun, Brezis and Tom Shoval. The film stars Sarah Adler and Ulrich Thomsen, as the two strangers. I think it's the best of the 2015 live action short film Oscar nominees!
The short begins at an airport, in Israel, where a woman, named Aya (Adler), waits for her friend to get off a plane. A professional driver, waiting to pick up his passenger, asks Aya to hold his sign for him, as he leaves for a couple of minutes. The sign is for a man named Mr. Overby (Thomsen). When Mr. Overby spots Aya holding the sign, he of course thinks she's his assigned driver and she impulsively doesn't correct him. She then proceeds to drive him to Jerusalem, for a piano competition. The two get to know each other, a little, along the way.
I really enjoyed how unexpected the short is. I also found it's commentary on life, and the relationships we form with others (specifically strangers), very moving. The contrast between Aya's joy in doing things randomly, and living through impulsive decisions, to Mr. Overby's obsession with routine, is really fascinating and involving. The cinematography is beautiful and the performances are both excellent. I found it to be the most interesting, and entertaining, of all the Oscar nominated shorts this year, through it's entirety. I could also really relate to both characters, especially Aya; who I most would like to be like (in my life).
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