The animated short film A hole in the chestdirected by the Quebec duo Alexandra Myotte and Jean-Sébastien Hamel, won the Audience Award at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Texas.
The film, which lasts 11 minutes, tells the story of Zoé, a gloomy teenager, and her little brother Théo, who tries at all costs to attract her attention. Coming from a disadvantaged background, they struggle to get together even though they are going through the same ordeal. “We feel that there is clearly a problem. They are looking for an escape,” underlines Mr. Hamel, in an interview with The duty.
According to him, the presence of “simple and endearing” characters in the work helped to appeal to spectators. “After the screenings, people sometimes come to see me with tears in their eyes. It’s a story that breaks the heart, while being realistic,” he says, avoiding revealing too many details.
Last Monday, the Longueuil-based duo learned that they had won the Audience Award at the important American festival. The two artists, who have also been a couple for fifteen years, had recently returned from SXSW, which took place in Austin from March 8 to 16. “When I knew we had won, I ran from my office and down the stairs to tell Alexandra,” says Mr. Hamel.
Their animated film also explores the question of imagination as a tool to overcome suffering. “We seek to make cinema that speaks about the real things in life, approaching them with depth,” maintains Mr. Hamel.
Alexandra Myotte had previously directed the short film No title (2021), which offered a reflection on the links that exist between an artist, his work and the public.
Around twenty prizes
In addition to being awarded at South by Southwest, A hole in the chest has won around twenty awards to date, rejoices Jean-Sébastien Hamel.
This winter, it was crowned best animated short film at the Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma. During the November 2023 edition of the Cinemania festival, the work received the Télé-Québec Prize for best Quebec short film. She is also on the 2025 Oscar longlist.
The duo, who are barely recovering from their emotions of the last few days, are now working on their next film. “It’s going to hit hard. It’s a theme that is different, but just as deep asA hole in the chest », Indicates Mr. Hamel, without revealing further details.