Historia de un oso

I am not surprised that this film is winning so many awards. Beautifully animated and seamlessly structured, it works as a solid story for both children and adults. It is very enjoyable as a tale of a bear struggling to reunite with his wife and son. But darker themes lace the story - paralleling real world state brutality, animal abuse, and capitalistic exploitation - as do elements of love, loss, and the unconquerable human (or bear) spirit.

If the author of Wicked decided to make a silent animated short film with the brilliant minds over at Pixar, they would probably make something as wonderful as Bear Story.

'BEAR STORY': Four Stars (Out of Five)

A beautiful 11 minute Chilean animated short film; about an elderly (lonely) bear, that tells his life story, to others, through a magical mechanical diorama. In this short, a young cub, gets to witness his epic journey. The Oscar nominated short, was directed by Gabriel Osorio Vargas; and it was written by Vargas and Daniel Castro. The animation is breathtaking to watch, and the story is heartbreaking; and yet, it's also beautifully touching (especially at the end). Talk about oversharing though, that's what this short film is all about; and that's what makes it so memorable (and moving). I really enjoyed it.

Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://youtu.be/b_aLk3J5gh4

This beautiful film likely emerged from the shadows of the atrocities Chile's Augusto Pinochet meted out on his own citizens. The nested narratives include mechanized henchmen, innocent victims, stars (likely representing the souls of the disappeared), and a longing for a wholeness that is forever lost. I use this film in teaching sessions and have watched it many times; I seem something new and surprising with every viewing.

The first ever Chilean movie to win an Oscar depicts a bear telling his story. Gabriel Osorio's "Historia de un oso" ("Bear Story" in English) has some ingenious animation - watch the scene where the bear sees the city disappear behind him - and a good story to accompany it. I interpreted the wordless short as a focus on human treatment of animals. I'd say that it deserved its Oscar win, and it confirms that Chile's film industry is turning out some good movies (Pablo Larraín's "No" was another). Not enough people get to see the smaller Oscar-winners, so I recommend checking this one out if you get a chance to do so. Very good cartoon.

Historia de un oso (2014)

*** (out of 4)

Good animated short from Chilean filmmaker Gabriel Osorio Vargas about an elderly bear who tells his life story with the help of a mechanical diorama.

HISTORIA DE UN OSO, also known as BEAR STORY, was one of five animated shorts that received an Oscar nomination and it's easy to see why so many people have fallen in love with the film. I'm not going to say I loved it because I honestly didn't but I could see why so many people did. The animation itself isn't the greatest out there but for the most part I found the story to be quite touching and it's certainly a unique way to tell a story.