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Donkeys Explore Universe in Oscar-Nominated Short
10 Feb
Summary
- An Oscar-nominated documentary features donkeys as protagonists.
- The film uses unique camera techniques to mimic donkey perspectives.
- It was filmed in Chile's Atacama Desert and debuts in March.
Criterion Channel has secured the rights to Alison McAlpine's critically acclaimed short documentary, "Perfectly a Strangeness." This Oscar-nominated film, celebrated with over 20 international awards, is set to premiere on the streaming service in March.
The documentary takes viewers on a unique journey through the Atacama Desert in Chile, following three donkeys as they discover an abandoned astronomical observatory. Director Alison McAlpine, a poet and filmmaker from Montreal, employed innovative visual techniques, including adopting the donkeys' point of view and utilizing anamorphic lenses.
McAlpine's artistic approach aimed to capture the essence of cinema by playing with light, shadow, and sound, without dialogue. She was inspired by observing donkeys grazing near large telescopes in the Atacama, prompting questions about their perception of the world and how to visually represent it.
"Perfectly a Strangeness" has an impressive festival run, screening at over 80 film festivals worldwide. Its accolades include the Grand Prize at Festival du Nouveau Cinema and a nomination for Best Documentary Short at the Academy Awards. McAlpine expressed her honor at having her film join Criterion Channel's curated selection of classic and contemporary cinema.
