There's always a certain degree of flying blind when it comes to predicting the less media saturated Oscar categories. Even if you manage to see all the nominated shorts, for example, (as I have in some years though not this one *sniffle*) there's still the mostly missing piece known as "buzz". Sure you'll get some ... a whisper here, an opinion there, but it's sparse and possibly laden with agendas.But these categories interest me so I've finally thrown up the page that celebrates them. The first thing I noticed that had slipped my attention in the initial hysteria of Oscar reaction is that Ellen Kuras (pictured, left along with images from various short film nominees) is nominated for her directorial debut The Betrayal, about the history of a family who fled Laos after the US bombings in the Vietnam war. Ellen turns 50 this summer and she's been working on this movie for over 20 years. Can you imagine it?
Whether or not you know her name you owe her a thank you. She's contributed to one of your favorite movie memories -- I feel safe in assuming this -- one that you'd never want erased, since she was the brilliant cinematographer on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. So here's to Ellen's nimble visual acuity. Now I just have to figure out how soon I can see her documentary...
Documentary and Animated Oscar Categories
Final Oscar Predictions
Ellen Kuras's nomination in 2004 right here @ the FB Awards
