The Best Animated Short Film – 2021 Oscar Winner – “If Anything Happens I Love You”
The Netflix animated movie “If Anything Happens I Love You” not only tugs at your heartstrings but also shares an important message. The movie is the portrayal of two parents coping with the loss of their daughter. The reverse chronological sequence of events reveals at the end of the film, that the daughter was killed at a school shooting incident, highlighting the pressing issue of gun violence prevalent in America.
We find out that the title If Anything Happens I Love You, was the daughter’s last words to her parents, as she sends them the message on her phone minutes before gunshots are heard in the background.
The silent film effectively captures the characters’ emotions, but what moves the audience besides the touching story, are the minimalistic visuals where the characters’ shadows are used in place of dialogue.
The animator opts for a simple watercolor background to give the short a rustic and raw feel. The only colors used are blue, to signify the daughter, and the American flag, which carries a heavy message about the ubiquity of this issue in the country.
The writer and director of the film, Michael Govier and Will McCormack consulted with Everyone for Gun Safety, an American non-profit organization that advocates against gun violence while developing the script
With its striking message, If Anything Happens I Love You is being considered as a front-runner for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film along with Canvas and Cops and Robbers.
If Anything Happens I Love You is currently streaming on Netflix.
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