Oscar Shortlist Interviews: Directors Jared And Jerusha Hess Share Their Favorite Shot From ‘Ninety-Five Senses’ (Exclusive)

We invited the filmmakers behind each of this year’s 15 Oscar-shortlisted animated shorts to share their favorite shot from their film and explain why it’s special to them. The pieces are being published in the order that materials were received. Nomination voting begins tomorrow, January 11.

In this piece, husband-and-wife filmmaking partners Jared and Jerusha Hess discuss their short Ninety-Five Senses, which won juried awards at the 2023 Florida Film Fest, Los Angeles Animation Festival, and Palm Springs International Animation Festival.

Unlike most of the work from the Hess’ catalog, which includes cult hits such as Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre, Ninety-five Senses offers little humor while examining major questions about life and how we perceive it. The study is observed through the reflections of a long-time death row inmate finishing his last meal. The film is divided into parts, each dedicated to a sense and animated by different artists, creating a constantly engaging visual experience.

Below, the Hesses share their favorite scene from the short and tell us its significance:

Ok, this is hard. And in the case of Ninety-Five Senses, with its six unique styles, it’s even harder. But what Daniel Bruson achieved in this long, single shot is breathtaking.

Landing the plane is always the hardest part of filmmaking. You are constantly searching for ways to end your story with the strongest emotional impact — and we think Daniel nailed it. He somehow captured everything we had just experienced in the film but then revealed something new, heartbreaking and beautiful.

His camera work, transitions and storytelling were totally inspired. And he hand-painted everything using ink and paper.

Read the other entries in the series:

• John Musker on I’m Hip
• Flóra Anna Buda on 27
• Tal Kantor on Letter To a Pig
• Dave Mullins on War is Over!
• Bret Parker on Pete
• Yegane Moghaddam on Our Uniform
• Karni Arieli and Saul Freed on Wild Summon
• Rita Basulto on Humo
• Stephen Vuillemin on A Kind Of Testament
• Gabriel Augerai, Romain Augier, and Yannick Jacquin on Boom
• Priit Tender on Dog Apartment
• Stéphanie Clément on Pachyderme
• Lucija Mrzljak and Morten Tšinakov on Eeva
• Dan Abraham and Trent Correy on Once Upon a Studio