23.01.26
WINNER AT SUFFOLK SHORTS LONGLISTED FOR AN OSCAR.
A Suffolk Shorts success story. From winning Best Narrative Short to reaching the Oscar longlist, the team behind Rock Paper Scissors reflect on storytelling, impact, and the role festivals play in launching bold new voices.
Never let anybody tell you that a short film is any less than a feature film.
Hayder Rothschild Hoozeer:
The power of storytelling and impact to be able to connect with an audience, even in 20 minutes. Some feature films might not do that in 3 hours.
Filmmaking, especially in the short film format, is incredibly important for filmmakers like myself, who are up and coming. It allows us to experiment with our form, with our narratives. It allows us to express ourselves in ways that a feature film might not allow us to.
When we started out making this film. We would never have imagined the social, cultural, and political impact that we've had.
Festivals give us the opportunity to introduce us to new audiences that we otherwise would probably never have been able to connect with. It just means that more people get to connect with the subject matter and to be able to form an opinion. And to be included in that conversation.
It is incredibly humbling to win awards and such a privilege to screen alongside the fellow filmmakers, who have been selected.
Winning Suffolk Shorts Narrative Short Film award and the prize money that comes with it really makes an impact. It allows us to continue to make short films, allows us to continue to express ourselves artistically through films, and most importantly, it allows us to find new audiences through further festival submissions. It could even mean that we get to work with better equipment, or even to be able to have a larger crew or opportunities to expand our filmmaking ability.
The cast and crew dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to this project. The performances, particularly from our young lead actor, captured the vulnerability and resilience of these characters in a war-torn landscape. The cinematography embraced the intimacy of the bunker's communal area and the desolation of the industrial wasteland outside. Our goal was to juxtapose the safety and unity within the bunker against the stark and dangerous world beyond its doors.
The film's pacing was deliberately measured, allowing audiences to connect with the characters and feel the building tension. The choice to maintain a tight focus on Ivan's perspective throughout much of the story was intended to foster a deep emotional connection with his journey and the impossible decisions he faces.
We aim for “Rock Paper Scissors” to be a compelling cinematic experience and a reflection on the strength of the human spirit when faced with unimaginable challenges. We hope this film will resonate with audiences long after the credits roll, prompting them to reflect on the enduring courage of individuals who confront the harshest realities in the pursuit of survival and preserving their loved ones and homeland.
Since screening at Suffolk Shorts and winning the award Rock Paper Scissors has gone on the be shortlisted for an Oscar.
Franz Böhm:
"Rock Paper Scissors" is a story of tragedy, hope, sacrifice, and resilience.
We hope this film serves as a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition during times of conflict and leaves audiences with a profound sense of empathy for those who endure the horrors of war.
Our approach to bringing this story to the screen was grounded in authenticity and empathy. We wanted to create an immersive experience that would resonate with audiences profoundly and emotionally. To achieve this, we meticulously crafted the script in close correspondence with the real main protagonist and many members of the Ukrainian community, paying attention to even the most minor details of the characters' lives within the bunker, their fears, hopes, and, most importantly, their relationships with one another.
The bunker became a central character in the film, a claustrophobic and perilous space where our characters grapple with their fears and hopes. We worked closely with our production design team to ensure that every aspect of the bunker's portrayal, from the lack of windows to the scattered storage boxes, would convey the palpable tension of the situation.
Authors:
Hayder Rothschild Hoozeer & Franz Böhm
Hayder Rothschild Hoozeer
is the producer of the
award-winning short film
Rock Paper Scissors.
Franz Böhm is the film’s
director.