The Iranian animation In the Shadow of the Cypress, directed by Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi, won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. This is the first Oscar that an Iranian animation has won and the third Oscar in the history of Iranian cinema.
According to Artmag.ir, citing ISNA News Agency, the animation In the Shadow of the Cypress tells the story of a father and daughter in a remote area on the Persian Gulf. The father, who was a captain during the war, suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which has affected his relationship with his daughter. The animation depicts a critical and fateful 24 hours in the lives of these two characters.
According to the directors of this animation, the choice of the manual 2D and frame-by-frame technique, although very difficult and time-consuming, was the most in harmony with the story.
Shirin Sohani and Hossein Melaimi, the two directors, have said about the difficulties of producing this work: Usually, short films made with this technique are less than 10 minutes long, but our script needed more than 15 minutes, and we did not want to harm the story to reduce production costs and time. This technique is being forgotten due to its uneconomical nature and difficulties, while computer 3D methods or computer cut-out 2D have become more common.
Other challenges in producing this work in Iran have been the lack of specialized human resources, economic fluctuations, lack of financial support, and lack of psychological stability due to political and social challenges.
According to Sohani and Melaimi, the animation production team for “In the Shadow of the Cypress” consisted of fewer than 20 people, which is a very small number compared to similar foreign projects.
The animation “In the Shadow of the Cypress” was made without financial support and was financed personally. However, after the project was completed, discussions were held to sell half of the shares of this work to the Center for the Intellectual Development of Children and Adolescents.
In addition to the story, this animation has also received attention from international critics and judges in terms of visual and technical aspects. According to the directors, the continuous rhythm, coherent narrative, creative illustrations, and use of oriental music were among the strengths that the judges and audiences pointed out.
Production staff of the animation In the Shadow of the Cypress
This work was produced with music by Afshin Azizi and voice acting by Hossein Ghorchian, and a team of Iranian artists played a role in its production in the animation, storyboard, coloring, and compositing departments. Among the staff of this project are Azad Marouf, Hesam Javaheri, Reyhaneh Mirhashemi, Nazanin Ramezani, and Mehdi Torabi. The animation In the Shadow of the Cypress is a product of Barfak Studio and was produced without financial support.
The Cinema House, the Center for the Development of Documentary and Experimental Cinema, and the Cinema Organization congratulated the creators of “In the Shadow of the Cypress” on receiving the Oscar for Best Short Animation.
The Center for the Development of Documentary, Experimental, and Animation Cinema, while referring to the flourishing of the Iranian animation industry, wrote: Iranian animated cinema is part of the flourishing and radiant art of Iran. Iranian cinema has always been brilliant and a shining jewel in festivals and events in the years after the victory of the Islamic Revolution. Receiving the Oscar for Best Short Animation is a seal of approval for the many talents of our dear Iran, which is on the path of prosperity and progress. Every gathering is an opportunity to reflect the brilliance of the art, culture, and history of our glorious and beloved Iran.
The Cinema House congratulated the Oscar award for the animation “In the Shadow of the Cypress” as follows: It is a source of joy, pride, and honor for the representatives of Iranian culture and art to shine on the peaks of global honor and to be the standard-bearer of Iran and Iranian art in the 97th Academy Awards. We consider it our duty to congratulate Hossein Molayemi, Shirin Sohani, and the animation team behind “In the Shadow of the Cypress” and wish Iranian cinema ever-increasing success.
Government Spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani also congratulated the creators of “In the Shadow of the Cypress” in a message.
She wrote on her X social media account: “A great honor for Iranian art and cinema! Congratulations to the creative team behind “In the Shadow of the Cypress” for shining at the Oscars. This success demonstrates the depth of Iranian culture and art in the global arena.” Hoping for more successes for our country’s cinema.
Following the Oscar award for the animation In the Shadow of the Cypress, congratulatory messages are being sent.
The congratulatory message from the Iranian Cinema Documentary Association also states: Winning the Oscar for Short Animation by Ms. Shirin Sohani and Mr. Hossein Molayemi, the creators of the animation In the Shadow of the Cypress, is a great honor for our country’s cinema and a brilliant step towards the globalization of Iranian animation art.
The editorial board of Artmag.ir, congratulates Iranian artists, Iranian cinema, the animation directors In the Shadow of the Cypress, Ms. Shirin Sohani and Mr. Hossein Molayemi, and activists in the field of animation on this success.
