The state of the art

Russian animation: the state of the art

Emerging from the darkness of the Soviet Union's collapse, Russian animation is not just surviving, it is thriving.

Film critic, scriptwriter and editor, Larisa Maliukova, presented Encounters audiences with an interesting image of the state of Russian animation: she described it as being like ‘a bouncy castle'! And with some of sample screenings Encounters audiences were treated to, we could see why.

New cult classics include CMEWAPNKH (Smeshariki or ‘Funny Balls') little round characters are leading the way to an animation renaissance. The animated TV series has led to spin-off work on TV, radio, computer games and online. And their popularity is opening the floodgates for new commissions, spurred on by the state funding for animation that started the tide turning in 2004.

Film production in Russia took a deep dive during the collapse of the Soviet Union. Cinemas either closed or resorted to selling furniture or used cars. With the new-found state support, the two main traditional animation studios are now being supplemented with a host of new players such as Christmas Films and Studio Baestarts who are leading the restoration.

The state funding is lending its own shade to production, with the preference being for traditional subject matter. Many of the current commissions are popular Russian classics, children's stories and fairytales, or universal themes such as ‘love'. In 2008, 108 projects (that is 25% of the total output) were made with the help of the state. Depending on the current economic climate, this level of support is expected to be maintained with over 60 features in production at present, plus films for children and TV serials. And while traditional methods such as puppetry are encouraged to continue, a wealth of new formats and a variety of animation techniques are being employed. Encounters viewers could see for themselves in the programme of New Russian Animation that followed.

To view examples, see www.studiobaestarts.com and www.smeshariki.ru )