2017 Oscar Nominated Short Films - Live Action

Zsófi.

... to make it easier for her to fit in.

So did you see anything interesting?

They sing really beautifully.

Ah, our choir.

We're kind of famous.

Going to festivals, winning prizes.

Will she be able to join it?

Of course she can.

Everyone is welcome to join the choir.

It's one of my key principles.

Do you like to sing?

Tomi! Girl 2: Shh!

Ricsi, keep quiet.

What's your name? Havasi zsófi.

You in the back, stop talking.

Attention, class!

Miss jutka, reporting attendance is 28.

Sorry, 29 pupils.

Nikolett klein and Andrea kolosi are absent today.

Thank you. Please be seated.

I'm sure you've all noticed we have a new addition.

I would like to introduce you to zsófi.

No need to stand up, dear.

Okay, everyone, open your geography textbooks on page 42.

The biggest geographical area of our country is the alfold...

Liza, what are you doing back there?

Me? Nothing.

Tomi, outside, five minutes, please.

Virag, I sit next to Liza.

Not anymore, you don't.

Flora, please move over. Let me sit down.

Next to Liza.

No, stop, no!

Stop it! Stop it now!

Hi. Hi.

I like your wristband. It's really nice.

Can I have a look?

Hold your arm.

Cool. Where did you get it?

My mum brought it back from Vienna.

It's my "lucky" wristband.

Yours is nice too. Thanks.

It looks like a phone cable.

Yeah, it does.

Hello, kids.

Hello, kids.

Good afternoon, miss Erika.

So dear choir,

it's only 10 days until the national competition.

And I have some great news.

This year, the winners get to go on a choir trip to Sweden,

to the European choir festival.

Needless to say, we're going to win again this year,

as we are the best and most brilliant choir

in the whole country, right? All: Yes!

So the important thing now

is for everybody to practice and focus.

Each of you shall do your bit, give all you've got.

This is not a game anymore.

Today we'll run through the repertoire

and then learn a new song.

Everybody ready? All: Yes!

The newcomers as well?

Let's warm up then.

Thank you, everyone. That was great.

Next rehearsal is Wednesday,

but we will cram in an extra session for Friday too.

Put it in your diaries. We'll have to pull our socks up.

You know the rule. One piece of candy each.

Goodbye, miss! Bye.

Zsófi? It's zsófi, isn't it?

Hang on, please. Let's have a little chat.

Door, please!

Could you sing "pál kata péter" for me?

Okay, okay. That will do, thanks.

So listen,

from the next rehearsal on, here is what we're going to do.

Instead of singing out loud, you will mime.

Do you know what that means?

I can't sing?

Sure, you can sing along in your head,

move your mouth like the others and everything.

Just stay silent.

But why?

Because you still need a lot of practice.

You're just not good enough.

But I'll pay special attention to you,

and I'll tell you when you're ready to sing.

Zsófi.

We won't tell the others about this.

You don't want them to think

you're not as good as they are, do you?

No.

Take your candy.

Your shoes are Ace.

Did she praise you?

Yeah.

She always does that. She pays attention to everyone.

I think she's the coolest teacher we have, isn't she?

And the prettiest too. I like miss jutka as well.

But I hate Mr. istvan.

Was there a choir at your last school too?

No, we only had music lessons.

I joined beginning of last year, and I absolutely love it.

And my dad, he works for the radio station.

Sound engineer.

He told me if I do well,

I could make it into the radio choir.

They're, like, the best of the best.

Do you want to come to the audition?

Well... want some?

Why are you sad?

I'm not.

And which song did you prefer today?

I don't know. The one about the rooster maybe?

That's a good one. My favorite one is "bullfight."

And from my dad's records, "fox dance."

Do you know that one? No.

Wanna come over? I'll show you.

No. Sorry. I need to go home now.

Oh, well. Bye then. Bye.

Zsófi, get inside!

Coming!

Shall we go to yours?

You could show me that "fox dance."

Why didn't you sing today?

What?

Today at practice, why didn't you sing?

You're it!

Again!

Again!

Play it again!

Stop shouting. I was just messing with you.

See? I knew you could sing.

Zsófi.

What's wrong now?

Zsófi?

Why didn't you sing today?

For real.

If miss Erika notices...

She can hear the smallest things, you know.

She will be proper mad at you.

And it's not even about her.

How are we going to win like this?

Say something.

Can you keep a secret?

Pinky swear.

Miss Erika, she told me...

Wait, hang on. Let's stop for a second.

What's the matter, Liza? Cat got your tongue?

No, miss.

Will the young lady allow us to continue then?

From the bridge... no.

Excuse me?

I'm sorry, miss,

but I don't want to sing in the choir anymore.

Don't be silly. We're a few days away from the competition.

But it's not fair, miss Erika.

Okay, enough.

I know you're not letting them sing!

Not zsófi, not detti, or zoli, and a lot of the others too!

They're just standing there gaping like fish

because you think they're not good enough!

And that's just not fair!

Well, life isn't always fair, my dear.

Liza, stop right there. You're not going anywhere.

I know you like the choir a lot.

We all love it. We love to be a part of it.

And everybody here is working really hard

so we can stay number one.

Yes, even those who don't sing out loud.

Not everyone is as lucky as you.

Do you think it would be fair

if only the lucky ones would be allowed to be here?

But if we let everyone sing, we will never be the best.

Some kids don't sing very well. That's the truth.

I never wanted to name and shame anyone.

It's not their fault.

But you know what? If that's what you want, let's do it.

Well, kids, who did I tell not to sing out loud?

It's okay, you can put your hands up.

See? What good did that do?

If they mime along nicely, we will win the competition...

...and your lovely voice will stand out even better.

But...

And we can go to lots of cool places together. Like Sweden.

And everyone here can say that they're part

of the best choir in the country.

Would it be fair if one of you just decided

to take all these cool things away from us on a whim?

Especially you, with your beautiful voice?

I don't think that would be fair.

Now, if anyone would like to quit the choir after this,

you're free to go.

The headmaster surely wouldn't be happy,

and your parents will be disappointed...

...but you're free to leave.

No one?

Right. Everyone from the top then.