Colm Feore Brings Characters to Life in Oscar-Nominated Short

Award-winning actor Colm Feore has lent his voice to multiple characters in the Oscar-nominated stop-motion animated short film, The Girl Who Cried Pearls. The film, created by Montreal-based animators Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, tells the poignant story of a poor boy in early 20th century Montreal who falls in love with a girl whose tears turn into pearls. Feore recorded his parts at the studio of Fred Smith in Kitchener, Ontario, capturing the essence of the characters in just a few hours.

Feore, who resides in Stratford, Ontario, expressed his excitement during an interview with CBC News, stating, “I play almost everyone. There is one young girl whose voice obviously has to be a young girl. But all the other voices, I do.” Smith, who has collaborated with Feore on various projects, praised the actor’s preparation and skill, noting that he often arrives at the studio ready to deliver outstanding performances almost immediately.

In a session that combined work and enjoyment, Smith remarked, “Colm always comes in super prepared. It’s almost like he’s already had the script memorized. That’s how good he is.” The recording process for the film, which lasts only 17 minutes, took just a few hours, including time for laughter and conversation.

During the recording, Feore engaged closely with Lavis and Szczerbowski to understand their vision for the characters. He mentioned that performing the voices required him to embody the characters physically, saying, “What we’re really trying to convey here is a living, breathing creature who happens to be a stop-motion animated puppet.” He emphasized the importance of matching his physical actions to the voice, noting that it helped convey the nuances of the characters.

The collaboration between Feore and the filmmakers was driven by a shared goal of creating authentic portrayals. Lavis expressed his enthusiasm for casting Feore, stating, “We went after him. He was the number one guy we wanted for the voice.” He highlighted Feore’s versatility, referencing his previous roles, including Richard III and Laufey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Oscar nomination for The Girl Who Cried Pearls marks a significant achievement for Lavis and Szczerbowski, as it is their second nomination. Their first came in 2007 for the National Film Board of Canada short, Madame Tutli-Putli. In a joint statement, the filmmakers expressed their pride in representing Canada at the Academy Awards, stating, “We’re thrilled to be representing the country of Canada and the National Film Board of Canada at this year’s Academy Awards celebration.”

The awards ceremony is scheduled for March 15, 2024. When asked about attending, Feore indicated his willingness to participate if invited, and he confirmed plans to attend the Screen Actors Guild awards on March 1, where his series Landman is nominated for performance by an ensemble in a drama.

As the accolades continue to roll in for The Girl Who Cried Pearls, the film stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in animation. With exceptional talent behind both the voice and the animation, audiences can expect a heartfelt experience that resonates well beyond its brief runtime.