Jennifer
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Author's posts
Sep 19 2024
Muhal Richard Abrams: A Visionary of Avant-Garde Jazz
Muhal Richard Abrams (1930-2017) was a pioneering force in avant-garde jazz. From his humble beginnings in Chicago to his role as a revered elder statesman of jazz, Abrams’ journey is a testament to the power of musical exploration and community-building. The Early Spark Born on September 19, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, young Richard Abrams found …
Sep 18 2024
Soviet Film Wednesday: Russian Sugar Ad
Here’s a little treat for this Wednesday: a jam ad created for Russian Sugar directed by Yuri Norstein. It was one of a group of Russian Sugar commercials made by Norstein between 1994 and 1995 that used cutouts and drawings for the animations (a bit past the Soviet era but still delightful and created by …
Sep 04 2024
Soviet Film Wednesday: Tenderness
Full of the vibrant energy of the outdoors and whimsical romance, Tenderness (Нежность, Nezhnost) was director Elyer Ishmukhamedov’s first major film, made in 1966-1967, and set in summertime in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. At its release, the film won awards at the International Week Of Asian Film Festival in Frankfort and at the Locarno Film Festival. Tenderness was …
Jul 17 2024
Happy Birthday Disneyland! Here’s a Look at Some of the Events of Opening Day
Disneyland opened its gates on July 17, 1955, on a plot of land in Anaheim, California that previously consisted of orange groves. It cost $17 million to open the park, but despite the high cost, its opening day was less than ideal. It was even referred to as “Black Sunday” by Disney employees for years …
May 01 2024
Soviet Film Wednesday: Walking the Streets of Moscow
Walking the Streets of Moscow (Я шагаю по Москве, Ya shagayu po Moskve) is a lighthearted look at everyday city life in Moscow for youth in the ’60s. We see an opening scene in the airport, city sidewalks in the rain, taxi rides through the streets, evening traffic flows, and a concert in Gorky park. …
Apr 18 2024
Hayley Mills: Angelic Icon of the 60s and Beyond
Actress Hayley Mills was born on this day, April 18, 1946, in London, England. Her child acting career began with her debut performance in the 1959 crime drama Tiger Bay, for which she won the “BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer.” A year later she starred in the Disney classic Pollyanna (1960), and quickly became one of …
Apr 03 2024
Soviet Film Wednesday: Thank You
Thank You (Spasibo, Спасибо) is a hand-drawn 1973 animation directed by Vladimir Tarasov, who is best known for his Soviet science fiction films Contact (1978), Contract (1985), and The Pass (1988). In Thank You, a group of polite children take a field trip to learn about airplanes. Click the “cc” icon for subtitles.
Mar 20 2024
Soviet Film Wednesday: The Cow
I recently posted an introduction to the beautiful work of Aleksandr Petrov, who creates animations using pastel oil paintings on glass to create wonderful, unique frames of soft, muted colors. Here is one of his early works, The Cow (Корова, Korova), made in 1989. In the story, a boy remembers how his family lost their …
Feb 28 2024
Soviet Film Wednesday: Fox and Rabbit
The 1973 animation Fox and Rabbit (Лиса и заяц) was Yuri Norstein’s debut as an exclusive director. In keeping with Norstein’s most beloved animation techniques, it is made with wonderful cut-outs and has that signature Norstein earthy feel, brimming with folksy forest animals and seasonal motifs. Based on a Russian folk tale, it is the …
Feb 21 2024
Soviet Film Wednesday: The Battle of Kerzhenets
Released on January 1, 1971, The Battle of Kerzhenets is based on the mythical underwater city of Kitezh. According to legend, the Russian town “Little Kitezh” was built on the Volga River in the early 13th century. The Mongols had been invading nearby territories during this time, and when they reached Kitezh they started to attack the …
