This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

"Shok" is a 22-minute live action short film from 2015 written and directed by British filmmaker Jamie Donoughue. However, looking at where this film plays, there is no English language in here, so you will most likely need subtitles. It is the story of two friends living in the Kosovo during wartime. This war is already over for quite a while, but this movie shows that with the right approach and script, it's still very much possible to make (engaging) (short) films about this dark subject. The complicated political and military situations puts the boys' friendship to risk on several occasions, but all that unites them is stronger eventually and goes way beyond the love for bikes when it comes to what they have in common. I think the acting here is solid overall, the fatter kid gives the best performance in the film. It sure is a depressing watch as well, but I guess it still depicts life in Kosovo realistically and death was a crucial component to living in this "country" at that point in time later in the 20th century. All in all, probably not an Oscar-deserving short film, but I don't mind the nomination. In terms of the quality, it is on a similar level like the winner "Stutterer", even if the subjects couldn't be more different. Worth checking out.

A film that has amazing scope for its short duration and modest budget. On the one hand, it's a wonderful tale of friendship, forgiveness, and finding hope in darkness; juxtapositioned with a story of racism, cruelty, and ultimately tragedy. I always find it incredible when films can intertwine normal human interaction (such as fighting and making up with a childhood friend) into extreme circumstances like wartime. It reminds us that no matter the time or place, we all still have the same fears, loves, relationships, and feelings. The film pulled off this authenticity because of the stellar acting by the two young main characters.When the character we see at the beginning returns at the end, you look at him with a new perspective. This time his eyes cut right into you and you feel the cost of war. Rest in peace to all of the innocents whose lives were taken in the Kosovo War, and hopefully this film can impact future dialogue and the pursuit of other films on the topic. If I had been running the show at the Academy this year, "Shok" would have certainly walked away with the Best Short Film prize.

8.7Rounds up to 8.So simply put this film was close to flawless (except how was the bike just sitting in the middle of the road? they should of put it in a field and had them hiking around to find it just one small thing) however, shouldn't the energy and resources put into film be used to impose justice on the war-crime committed?I'm sure making the film is cathartic but I was left wondering, if this really happened to a friend of mine, I would of spend my entire life trying to find who did that to my friend and get him arrested, tried and convicted for a war-crime. I do really appreciate the talent of the filmmakers, but I'm not sure their efforts in this medium are correct or appropriate given their past circumstances. Again I digress and ask, if they had the means to pull something like this short film off, couldn't they transfuse that same effort and money into imposing justice on the wrongs done in the past which this film depicts?

A VERY IMPORTANT FILMSHOK is one of the best short films I have ever seen. A story most excellently delivered. Beautifully Directed, shot and acted. A very important film that fulfils the noble task of educating mankind to the plight of the Albanians.I was first exposed to Shok when it was submitted to me as a judge at the 2015 Hollyshorts International Film Festival. Shok won best short film at Hollyshorts and went on to win many other awards. I predicted back in Aug 2015 that Shok would be nominated for an academy award. And I predict now that it will win. I have seen the other 4 nominees and I feel that Shok stands well above the competition. Not only in terms of its flawless delivery but also the importance of a story that the world needs to see and know.sincerelyStephen C Page