A blend of neat base level animation and advanced portions of live-action have led the documentary He Named Me Malala to enter the eminent Oscar race. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that 15 films in the Documentary Feature category would advance in the voting process for the 88th Academy Awards. Out of the 124 films that were originally submitted in the category, He Named Me Malala has by far proved itself by entering the shortlisted 15.
Directed by Davis Guggenheim, this Fox Searchlight documentary revolves around the inspiring incident and life of the young prodigy Malala Yousafzai. Well, the Pakistani teenager was targeted by the Taliban for speaking out on behalf of education for girls and for taking a stand in a place where girl education was not encouraged and not considered at all.
And animation has played a pivotal role in bringing alive the memories of the young protagonist and the landscapes where she lived her childhood. The lyrical painterly scenes for the film evoke the history of Malala in a crisp animated way.
Under the helm of Animation Supervisor Jason Carpenter and Animation Producer Irene Kotlarz, a team of CalArts Experimental Animation Program alumni created the animated sequences to depict the hard hitting story in a creative way. As the story conveys the entire journey of Malala and her rebellious escape after being in the arms of death, animation has served as the best way to lighten the mood by a touch of artistic representation. The hills, the environment , the geographical scenarios where Malala grew as a child have all evoked through this animation interpreting the dilemma that she experiences currently at her new place far from her homeland.
Even though the trailer displays a minute portion of animated sequence, the documentary is justified to have a large portion of Live-Action as it is a true inspiring yet threatening incident. Jason Carpenter designed the animated sequences with the goal of developing a visual style that conveyed the emotion and atmosphere of Malala’s story while remaining compatible with live-action. So, it can be stated that animation has added flavour to the mesmerising dish of live action.
Documentary Branch members will select the five nominees from among the 15 titles on Thursday, January 14, 2016, at 5:30 a.m. PT at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. And, animation amalgamating with live action is an innovative attempt to enhance the efficacy of film production.