Andrei Khrzhanovsky directs this mystical Russian animation from 1972, Butterfly, about a boy and the butterflies he catches. One day, the tables turn, and the boy finds himself caught by a giant butterfly. Music by Matthias Müller.
Category: Soviet Era
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 15 2024
The Sublime Animation of Yuri Norstein
Picture this: a dimly lit studio, filled with layers upon layers of intricately cut paper figures, and a man hunched over his work table, bringing life to these static images one frame at a time. This is the world of Yuri Norstein, often hailed as the greatest animator of all time. Born on this day …
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 …
May 08 2024
The Color of Pomegranates: A Masterpiece of Surrealism and Poetry in Film
The Color of Pomegranates is a film that defies the traditional norms of cinema. It’s a masterpiece of surrealism and poetry that transports the viewer to a world of visual and emotional wonder. Directed by Sergei Parajanov, this film is a unique exploration of the life and work of Armenian poet Sayat-Nova. The Color of …
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 24 2024
Soviet Film Wednesday: The Ascent
The Ascent, a Soviet film released in 1977, is a remarkable and powerful war drama that stands as a testament to the exceptional talent of its director, Larisa Shepitko. The film, which is an adaptation of the novel Sotnikov by Vasil Bykov, masterfully explores themes of sacrifice, betrayal, and the moral complexities of war. Set …
Apr 17 2024
Soviet Film Wednesday: Enchanted Desna
Enchanted Desna is a film that gives us insight into the mind of Aleksandr Dovzhenko as a child, growing up by the Desna river. Directed by Yuliya Solntseva, the film is an “autobiographical film story” by her husband, Aleksandr Dovzhenko. Both thought-provoking and beautiful, the film elicits memories and introspection from its viewers. For instance, …
Apr 10 2024
Soviet Film Wednesday: A Rainy Story
Inspired after seeing this on Soviet Visuals and Folklore Film Fest‘s #SovietFilmWednesday, this was the first Soviet film I shared a little over three years ago, and it is still one of my favorites. What can I say, I love rain and cats, and the illustrations are beautiful, so this seemed like the perfect starting place for …
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.
