WANA (Mar 04) – In the Shadow of the CypressIn the Shadow of the Cypress won the 2025 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. The film was directed by Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani, commissioned by the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults in Iran.

 

While many summaries describe the film as a story about a father suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it is actually about the life of a war veteran with severe psychological trauma. He lives in isolation on an island with his daughter, withdrawn from the world. The idea for the film was inspired by Shirin’s own father, who is also a veteran of the Iran-Iraq War.

 

The film is highly symbolic and meticulously crafted. Its visual and technical execution is stunning. The use of Iranian cultural elements—such as wooden boats (Lenj), traditional clothing, a red-flowered teapot, a velvet red pillow, and a Persian carpet loom—creates a visually unique experience. The film also employs intelligent symbolism, with elements like the beached whale, which adds a deeper metatextual layer to the story.

 

Despite its slow-paced rhythm, the film contains violent scenes, including physical confrontations, bombings, and fires, making it unsuitable for children.

 

Beyond portraying the suffering of war veterans, In the Shadow of the Cypress highlights the pain endured by their families—families who have lived with these wounds for decades, where love, under the shadow of war, is intertwined with patience and daily suffering.

 

Among countless war narratives, this film chooses to focus on the hidden pains of war rather than its heroics. While many audiences may prefer epic war stories, presenting the bitter realities of war with integrity is equally important.

 

However, this historic win came with two major points of discussion:

 

1. A Missed Opportunity on the Global Stage

The Oscars are more than just an award; they are a platform to redefine a nation’s identity in the eyes of the world. Yet, the winning team failed to make the most of this opportunity. Their acceptance speech was pre-written, filled with pronunciation errors, and delivered in a way that evoked pity rather than pride.

 

 

2. Controversy Over Dress Code

The film’s creators attended the ceremony without wearing the mandatory hijab, despite the fact that the film was funded by a state-affiliated organization in Iran. This raised questions: How can filmmakers benefit from government support yet openly defy its regulations on an international stage?

 

 

 

Additionally, labeling a 19-minute, 2D animated short as a “miracle” seems odd, considering that Iranian cinema produces several animated feature films annually.

 

From an artistic and narrative perspective, In the Shadow of the Cypress is a powerful and successful film that has garnered international recognition. However, its success also raises important questions—about the representation of Iran in global forums, the choice of war narratives, and the cultural challenges faced by Iranian filmmakers on the international stage.