Filmmakers Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata recently made headlines by winning the Oscar for Best Live-Action Short Film with their work, “Two People Exchanging Saliva”. In a unique turn of events, the Oscars ceremony featured a tie in this category, as the award was also given to “The Singers”, directed by Sam A. Davis and Jack Piatt.
Alexandre Singh, born in 1980 in Bordeaux, France, has a compelling family history. His father migrated from Punjab, India to the United Kingdom in the 1960s, marrying a French woman. Singh, who studied fine arts at the University of Oxford, reflects on the challenges his father faced as an immigrant during that era, illustrating a journey filled with ambition and resilience.
In a recent event, he recounted how his father’s experience was marked by struggle and determination, noting the stark contrast between their backgrounds. “In the 1960s, my father left Punjab with a beard and a turban. The reception was difficult,” he shared. Despite facing hardships, his father achieved academic success, earning multiple degrees, and eventually adapted to his new life, shedding the external markers of his initial identity.
Singh expressed a deep sense of loss regarding his connection to his heritage following his father’s passing when he was just 21. He recognized that while he embraced his artistic path—much to his father’s dismay—this choice created a personal distance from his Indian roots. This internal conflict highlights the multifaceted relationship he continues to cultivate with his identity.
“Two People Exchanging Saliva” (or “Deux personnes échangeant de la salive” in French), co-directed by Singh and Musteata, premiered at the 51st Telluride Film Festival in August 2024. This French-language short drama film embodies their artistic vision and commitment to storytelling.
After receiving the award, Singh emphasized the transformative potential of art during his acceptance speech. He remarked, “We believe art can change people’s souls… we can change society through art, through creativity, through theatre and ballet, and cinema.” The occurrence of a tie at the Oscars is a rare phenomenon; the last instance of this was in 2013, with “Zero Dark Thirty” and “Skyfall” sharing the awards for sound editing.
Before his Academy Award-winning project, Singh had directed several other short films, including “The Appointment” (2019) and “Plan Large” (2016). His evolving body of work reflects a dedication to exploring complex narratives, solidifying his place in the film industry.