Oscar-Nominated Shorts

The venerable Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences have honored four short documentaries with Oscar nominations for 2006. The films, all moving and compelling stories, range from portraits of intensely difficult life to ones of inspiration. The Blood of Yingzhou District (Ruby Yang, 38 min.) — In rural China, people give unsafe blood donations, causing HIV infection and orphaned children. Recycled Life (Leslie Iwerks, 38 min.) — Central America's largest and most toxic garbage dump in Guatemala City hosts thousands of adults and children who have been living, eating and working there over the last 60 years. Rehearsing a Dream (Karen Goodman & Kirk Simon, 39 min.) — Talented 17-year-old artists spend a week in a mentorship project with inspiring and well-known artists. Two Hands (Susan Rose Behr, 18 min.) — The story of pianist Leon Fleisher, who lost his ability to play with his right hand at the height of his career. (KLC)