Meet Alexandre Singh: Indian-origin filmmaker who won Oscar for best live-action short film ‘Two People Exchanging Saliva’

Filmmaker Alexandre Singh won an Oscar in the category of best live action short film for the French-language drama 'Two People Exchanging Saliva' at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15.

His film, co-directed with long-time creative partner Natalie Musteata, shared the honour in a rare tie with 'The Singers' by Sam A. Davis and Jack Piatt. This marked only the seventh tie in Oscars history, New India Abroad reported.

Singh, born in Bordeaux, France, to an Indian father and a French mother, was raised in Manchester in the United Kingdom and studied fine art at the University of Oxford. He is currently based in Brooklyn.

With a steady rise as a visual artist and storyteller, Singh’s work blends surreal imagination with sharp social commentary.

Singh and his partner Musteata’s 36-minute short film explored an absurd dystopia where intimate human acts became taboo and punishable by death, and people paid for things by receiving slaps to the face.

He mentioned being inspired by Will Storr’s 'The Science of Storytelling'.

During his acceptance speech, Singh invoked the broader power of art and creativity, mentioning that cinema can transform society, and said,

“We believe art can change people's souls. Maybe it takes 10 years time, but we can change society through art, through creativity, through theatre and ballet, and cinema.”

Singh’s other notable works included 'The Appointment' (2019) and 'Plan large' (2016).

'Two People Exchanging Saliva' continued its festival trajectory after premieres at significant events, including the Telluride Film Festival.