Last Day of Freedom

This is by far the most creative and striking of all these documentaries. Instead of being told as a traditional narrative, the story is animated--and in a very new and creative manner. At first, the animation was hard on the eyes and I disliked it...but the further the film progressed the more I found it really worked well...so well that the film could easily have been nominated in the Best Animated Short category as well. This is the story of Manny, as told by his older brother. Apparently Manny was brain damaged and suffered from mental illnesses (such as PTSD which resulted from his terms in Vietnam as well as schizophrenia). Eventually, Manny commits a murder and the film recounts the events leading up to it, his brother's involvement in the investigation and the outcome. The story is a striking indictment against capital punishment, as it's very, very difficult to believe that anyone would execute a man this mentally disturbed. And, unlike the other documentary shorts, this one might actually result in some positive change. In most of the others, they're depressing but the viewer is mostly left feeling helpless to do anything about the issues being presented. This is clearly my pick for the best of the documentaries and I strongly recommend you see it. It's well made, totally unique and will challenge the audience in many ways.

By the way, if you are curious I am NOT against the death penalty, though I certainly am the way it's used. In a case like this one, it seems highly inappropriate and really felt terrible for everyone involved.

UPDATE: "A Girl in the River" took the Oscar for Best Documentary Short.