"The Confession" is a 26-minute short film from 6 years ago and it was the first international project by Estonian filmmaker Tanel Toom. Language is English though, so don't worry about subtitles. The story is about two boys who share a "gruesome" secret that ultimately turns into tragedy. I am not really sure why I did not manage to enjoy this Oscar-nominated short film as much as I hoped I would. It is atmospheric, dramatic and the acting is solid too. Maybe it is just too long for its own good and I struggled really to see the film with the absurdity that the boys saw all the action. Aren't they too old for that? Shouldn't they have talked to their parents? At least, that is what I would have expected from the protagonist who is apparently a sensitive soul. I cannot share the appreciation everybody else has for this little movie. Cannot understand why it was nominated for an Oscar. At least, it did not beat the excellent "God of Love". I have to confess that I did not like "The Confession". Thumbs down.

A Catholic schoolboy thinks he must absolve himself sin despite the fact that he hasn't actually done anything wrong. His buddy devises a prank that would legitimize his confession, which has a tragic end. The movie is as predictable as it is overly-dramatic. It plays like a barebones version of a Michael Haneke (The White Ribbon) concept, especially given its black and white presentation. I recommend watching any recent Von Trier film or Haneke film instead. Hopefully this won't see a feature-length follow-up. It takes itself way, way too seriously to be meaningful.Not Recommended.

The Confession is only 26 minute long. It's really thrilling. I imagine that the script is so good that you can triple that time and make a full- length movie. I still liked the short film though.Tanel Toom is unknown in film industry. Until now. Nominated for Oscar in short film category. This is a massive achievement for a young guy like Tanel. I assume this gives him a gigantic boost for the future. Well, he didn't win, but actually it doesn't matter that much. The best thing about this nomination is that his name is much better known now. And it can open many doors to him which were closed prior to nomination. He seems a bright fella. Maybe a future face of Estonian film business, who knows. Anyway, I'm glad for him.

You can trust the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to introduce you to some very worthwhile short filmmaking with their nominees each year, films that would have otherwise never reached an audience outside of the festival circuit. This one is a particularly outstanding choice, among the very best the short film categories at the Oscars have offered in recent years.The 26-minute picture, which looks and sounds as good or better than many a costly feature production, begins as one would expect from conventional short film fare: Two kids in a whimsical situation. As anyone raised in the Catholic faith could testify, not knowing quite what to say during your first confession is a dilemma equally absurd and real. But expectations are turned on their heads by what the script spins out of this idea. A few minutes in, the viewer realizes he has committed a sin himself by summarily throwing the film in with all those others which content themselves with milking their singular observation for merely the humor and cuteness of it, especially when there are child actors involved. Not so here, as soon enough "The Confession" turns into a chilling, compelling drama that ultimately leaves one with questions about what faith can lead people to do. In the best short film tradition, the film gets there with surprising storytelling and a resonating message.Extraordinary acting from the leads, elegant and sober directing, exquisite cinematography. Highest recommendation.