The key information to look at, before comparing these two pieces, is understanding a political situation of these two countries in early 1960s. Both, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, were communist countries, under the opression from USSR. However, as it's visible in Ersatz, Yugoslavia of 1961 weren't experiencing as much poverty of other countries, yet was still controlled by regime. Moreover, Czechoslovakia of 1965 was suffering a lot more from USSR. Nethertheless, both animations serve as a visual representation of social atmosphere from that time.
Ersatz (Surogat) is a colorful 2D hand drawn animated short, created by Dusan Vukotic. It shows a story of character that lives in an inflatable world. Everything in this world is packed neatly and can be inflated - from blankets and umbrellas to women and cars. The life of characters seems to be quite carefree and financially secure, however it's still controlled and can by quite shallow, empty. In the end all characters dies - deflate. Also title, Ersatz (Surogat), can inform viewer of the actual message hidden in this short. Music in this piece is quite cheerful and light, there are no dialogue, which is covered by expressive characters and exagerrations of movements. Color palette contains mostly yellows and blues, animation style similiar to Cubism with characters being made from basic shapes and with think lines for arms and legs. Also animation for particular elements, like water, is very well done and match the overall style of animation. Ersatz won Academy Award in 1962 and made it's author first non-American winner.
Jiri Trnka is a Czech puppet maker and animator, creator of The Hand, which was made 4 years after Ersatz. It portraits pressure, censorship and control of artists by USSR. It is a stop motion animation made with puppets and have quite grim style. Artist is presented as a slave of ideals, that he have to present and do what he is told by leading political party. He is oppressed and unhappy, gets medals for not breaking rules, which requires a much more bigger sacrifice. He is controlled by Hand. Also, interesting is the use of lighting to present the emotion of the Artist puppet. Color palette is quite cold and subdue. It's a very sad and powerful story. Music in this piece is darker and quite derpressing. This short could be intrepreted as a protest against opression and call for freedom in creativity.
No comments:
Post a Comment