Estimated read time: 7-8 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — The path to an Academy Award nomination is often a surprising and unexpected one.
That statement rings true for Utah-based filmmakers Jerusha and Jared Hess. The husband-and-wife duo are known for their quirky comedies like "Napoleon Dynamite" and "Nacho Libre." While they're fun films, they aren't precisely Oscar contenders, and Jerusha Hess is the first to admit it.
When asked if she ever imagined walking the red carpet at the Oscars for one of her own films, Jerusha Hess quickly responded, "No. No. Not at all. Not at all. We make dumb comedies. I don't want to say it's the only time, but this is pretty special."
Even if an Academy Award seemed like a pipe dream, it is now a reality for her. She and her team are nominated in the Best Animated Short category for their poignant, touching and creative film "Ninety-Five Senses."
"It's just such a small, quiet little movie that was a nonprofit project," Jerusha Hess recalled. "But it packs a punch, and it's really special."
"Ninety-Five Senses" is a unique movie that tells the story of Coy, an old man at the end of his life, recounting the different senses and how experiences with each of them have impacted his life over the years. The short film is powerful and tells a story that will stick with you much longer than its 14-minute run time.
The making of a short
Each section of Coy's life is told with a different animation style, keeping the eyes engaged and lending intimacy to each chapter of the narrator's life.
The genesis of "Ninety-Five Senses" was a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. Hess recounted how the Salt Lake Film Society's groundbreaking program, which pairs established filmmakers with emerging animators, provided the perfect platform to bring this uniquely told story to life.
"It was the most wild collaborative process, all during the pandemic," she recalled. "We joined up with our friends Hubble Palmer and Chris Bowman, who have written for us before, and they wrote this script knowing there was going to be five or six animation teams."
For every movie we make, there are probably 10 that didn't get made. But even with the challenges, there is a prevailing sense of gratitude for the opportunities we have had.
–Jerusha Hess
The decision to center the narrative around the five senses was a stroke of genius, allowing the film to explore themes of memory, perception and human connection in a profoundly moving way. She explained how the writers delved into research on topics ranging from exit interviews of inmates on death row to the intricacies of sensory experience, weaving together a story that resonated deeply with audiences.
"Coy remembers each chapter of his life differently as he ages," Hess elaborated. "Changing from style to style is a fascinating way to tell the story."
The film's heart lies in its ability to evoke many emotions and interpretations from viewers. "It sticks with you," she remarked. "The themes of it that people pull from are so different and personal from person to person."
Journey to the Oscars
As the film began to gain traction on the festival circuit, its journey to the Oscars seemed like a distant dream. Hess described the disbelief and elation that accompanied each milestone, from making the long list to ultimately securing a spot among the final nominees.
"The producers did a knockout job submitting it to Oscar qualifying shorts," she explained. "At these festivals, it was getting all these awards and racking up all these accolades. It was amazing, but we still didn't think anything about the Oscars."
The final nominees aren't pulled out of thin air; they undergo a long process and are eventually whittled down to just five.
"Suddenly, we were on the long list. The long list is like 100 films. We didn't think we'd get anywhere, but it was really cool and exciting, but no pressure at all," Hess said of the nomination process. "Then, suddenly, it got on the shortlist, and that is when we all looked at each other and thought, 'Is this really happening?' We started pushing to get the movie in front of people because getting it from 15 films on the shortlist to five final nominees is different. When we got the nomination, we were sitting there sweating, and suddenly, we were all crying."
She, her husband and their writers watched the nominations together via Zoom — she mentioned there were plenty of squeals, cheers and disbelief when "Ninety-Five Senses" was announced.
Jared Hess is currently in New Zealand filming the "Minecraft" movie. Still, Jerusha Hess said they are taking advantage of this opportunity to attend the awards show as nominees. She said the studio is letting her husband take a few days off to fly to Los Angeles to attend the ceremony, along with one of the stars of the "Minecraft" movie, Danielle Brooks, who is also a nominee in the Best Supporting Actress category for her work in "The Color Purple."
"To share this moment with our writers is just going to be the coolest thing ever," Jerusha Hess said. "The writers are the foundation we all stand on, and they are brilliant, brilliant men."
She also mentioned her husband may need some new threads for the big night. "I keep teasing Jared that he's got to go to Mr. Mac and get himself a suit for the Oscars."
It started with 'Napoleon Dynamite'
It's been a long road since "Napoleon Dynamite" took the Sundance Film Festival by storm and changed the Hesses' lives. However, despite over 20 years of Hollywood success, they are still grateful for the opportunity.
"Our journey in filmmaking has been filled with highs and lows," Jerusha Hess said, reflecting a sentiment echoed by many in the industry. "For every movie we make, there are probably 10 that didn't get made. But even with the challenges, there is a prevailing sense of gratitude for the opportunities we have had."
Even with decades of experience, she said they learn so much from talented people on every project, especially "Ninety-Five Senses."
"Making 'Ninety-Five Senses' has felt like a gift — a complete gift," Jerusha Hess said. "At first, we felt like we were doing a favor to the Salt Lake Film Society, but, in the end, they absolutely brought it and taught us so much. It was just really joyful to work with all these talented humans."
She admits "Ninety-Five Senses" is a bit of a departure from their usual projects, but that doesn't mean it's not theirs.
"It's a beautiful story of hope and grace," she said. "I think even though it's not a comedy, and even though there's not a single fart in it, I still feel like there's that little element of Hess in there."
She said that she, along with her husband and the film writers, are humbled by the Oscar nomination and, regardless of what happens at the Academy Awards on Sunday, they feel like they have already won.
"It doesn't even matter if we win at this point," Jerusha Hess said. "What a joy to be nominated — and that so many people have seen it now. The life of a short can be small. That fact that so many people have seen it and they're reacting to it ... what a gift."
We can all find out, along with the team behind "Ninety-Five Senses," if that gift keeps giving when the Academy Awards airs Sunday .
