BearoticEntertainment for Bears and the furry at heart.

Best Animated Short Oscar Winner 2009

Written by NetBear on February 23, 2009 – 4:14 pm

The 12-minute film, La Maison en Petits Cubes (which means “House of Small Cubes”), centers on an old man reflecting upon his life as floodwaters slowly rise at his home. It marks the first Academy Award nomination and win for Kunio Kato, who wrote and directed this thought provoking piece.

Taking a break from building a brick addition atop his former house that is immersed in water and almost below sea level, a lonely old widower dons scuba equipment and takes a sentimental and heartbreaking journey into his old house, reliving loving moments with his now-gone family.

As you will hear, Kunio Kato struggled with his acceptance speech. But at the end he says something quite unexpected that makes everyone laugh.

The Acceptance Speech

For a limited time (probably) here is the film in two parts for your enjoyment.

Part 1

Part 2

Kato’s film career was not his first choice. As a child, he wanted to be a veterinarian. But later he was forced to give it up due to an allergy to cats.