The era of the Soviet Union can be perceived in different ways, but the filmmakers of that time did not pursue profits and short-term glory. Soviet surrealistic cartoons are a kind of hymn to bold creative experiments and the flight of imagination.
Last year’s snow was falling
- Rating IMDB – 8.3
- Genre: Cartoon, fantasy, short film, drama, comedy, family
- USSR production / 1983
- Directed by Alexander Tatarsky
- Cast: Stanislav Sadalsky
It is impossible to imagine the New Year without a lush Christmas tree with the tart scent of fresh pine, so the wife sends her husband to the woods for the green beauty. However, the absent-minded man almost immediately forgets about the purpose of the trip, being distracted by a nimble hare.
The dreams take the traveler to the future, where the proceeds from the sale of the little animal can buy many useful things – and even change the simple hut into a royal mansion. Greed has never been good for anyone, so the amazing adventures of the character will be a lesson to lovers of easy money.
Aphoristic remarks quickly went into the public, turning into popular sayings, and the cartoon is still shown on TV on New Year’s Eve.
Hedgehog in the Fog
- Rating IMDB – 8.1
- Genre: Cartoon, fantasy, short film, drama
- USSR production / 1975
- Directed by Yury Norstein
- Cast: Vyacheslav Nevinniy, Maria Vinogradova, Alexey Batalov
Little Hedgehog goes to his best friend Little Bear to drink delicious tea and jam on the porch and admire the starry sky. It’s not an easy journey through dense thickets, where every tree can be a serious threat.
The vast world thickens around the defenseless traveler, shrouding the road in a dense fog. Familiar paths and plants take on unusual shapes and forms, from a snail and a bat to a giant elephant, frightening and confusing the Hedgehog.
The cartoon is based on the fairy tale of the same name by Sergei Kozlov, but the plot was significantly revised in the creation of the script.
In the blue sea, in the white foam…
- Rating IMDB – 8.2
- Genre: Cartoon, fantasy, family, short film
- USSR production / 1984
- Directed by Robert Sahakyants
- Cast: Harry Bardin, Anahit Kanachyan, Yaroslava Turyleva
While fishing, the boy and his grandfather pull out an ancient jug, from which the king of the depths breaks free. The lord of the seas takes the child with him to make him heir to the throne and successor to the family.
The boy must marry the Tsar’s daughter, in exchange for which the lord promises him countless riches. The young man is not attracted to the prospect of spending the rest of his life at the bottom, entertaining himself by destroying ships, so the clever prisoner comes up with an ingenious escape plan.
The musical fantasy is based on a series of Armenian folk tales.
Wow, a talking fish!
- Rating IMDB – 8.2
- Genre: Cartoon, fantasy, short film, comedy, family
- USSR production / 1983
- Directed by Robert Sahakyants
- Cast: Leonid Belozorovich, Boris Plotnikov, Artem Karapetyan, Irina Kartasheva
The old man goes to the sea, but his humble catch is a small fish. The prey begs in a human voice to be spared, for good things are sure to come back to people. The old man lets the fish go and, annoyed, laments it loudly, accidentally summoning a sorcerer named Eh.
The sorcerer is ready to fulfil any wish – and the first gift is a tablecloth. The couple can keep the gift forever, but in return they must answer tricky questions from Eekh, who no one has ever managed to beat.
The cartoon is based on a fairy tale by screenwriter Hovhannes Tumanyan.
Wings, legs and tails
- Rating IMDB – 8.1
- Genre: Cartoon, short film, comedy
- USSR production /1985
- Directed by Alexander Tatarsky, Igor Kovalev
- Cast: Alexander Filippenko, Alexei Ptitsyn
The ostrich loves to eat, but it is not easy to get food in the middle of the sand dunes. A meeting with Griff changes the desert dweller’s life, because a new acquaintance tells him about a rich area. The ostrich is ready to set out to meet his dream, but there is a small hitch.
The way to the abundance of food is not a long one, and in the company of a flightless bird it will take a lot of time. Vulture agrees to teach his buddy the art of soaring above the ground to get to the delicious delicacies as quickly as possible.
Initially, the animated film was made for the collection «Kubik», but the director of the studio «Ekran» Boris Hessin criticized the animated work.
Plasticine Crow
- Rating IMDB – 8.2
- Genre: Cartoon, short film
- USSR production / 1981
- Directed by Alexander Tatarsky
- Cast: Leonid Bronyevoy, Alexander Levenbuk, Lev Shimelov, Grigory Gladkov, Alyosha Pavlov
The story consists of three almanacs – and each has an educational function. The first clearly demonstrates the difference in the genres of painting: from picturesque landscapes to portraits and still lifes. The second tells about a popular children’s game, which is adored by kids, and the third has become an amusing parody of the famous work of fable writer Ivan Krylov. A funny song on the verses of Eduard Uspensky is easy to remember – and it is happily picked up by people of all generations.
During the entire filming process, about 8 quintals of plasticine were spent, which had to be painted additionally due to the fade of shades.
It’s going to rain softly
- Rating IMDB – 7.4
- Genre: Cartoon, short film, sci-fi
- USSR production / 1984
- Directed by Nazim Tulyakhodjaev
The cartoon is set in an alternate future where humanity has disappeared from the planet due to a massive catastrophe. On New Year’s Eve, a domestic robot habitually sets the table and invites his family to breakfast. However, no one responds to the android’s offer, as only a handful of ashes remain of humans. The apocalypse came quietly and unnoticed, wiping out any mention of civilization with a routine movement, and yet the robot manages to find a new enemy.
The animated film is based on the story of the same name by Ray Bradbury.
Medvezhut (Bear)
- Rating IMDB – 7.4
- Genre: Cartoon, short film
- USSR production / 1988
- Directed by Vasily Kafanov, Alexei Shelmanov, Alexei Turkus
- Cast: Oleg Sevastyanov
The creepy forest dweller dislikes being disturbed most of all during hibernation, but the realm of Morpheus also conceals many unpleasant surprises. Rest and gain strength hindered by intrusive nightmares with phantasmagoric plot – from the flying beaver, incubating eggs, to the substitution of children by a scattered stork and a magic box with delicious viands. A clue is sure to await viewers in the finale of each vision, for there is a special philosophical meaning behind the abstract plots.
Film critics noted the connection between the script of the cartoon and Bunuel’s film «Le charme discret de la bourgeoisie».
The Beast
- Rating IMDB – 7.2
- Genre: Cartoon, short film, children’s film
- USSR production / 1990
- Directed by Evgeniya Nitylkina
- Cast: Lydia Fedoseyeva-Shukshina, Yuri Astafiev, Galina Sokolova
A scary but good-natured and harmless creature moves into one of the rooms of a communal apartment. The monster is covered with thick hair, which periodically molts, causing displeasure to the angry neighbor. The woman does not like the strange tenant and the magic he regularly uses.
The Beast’s innocent pranks amuse the good-natured and compassionate neighbor Aunt Masha, but she does not dare to openly stand up for the monster. The angry neighbor writes daily denunciations against the creature, who also does not remain indebted.
The cartoon was specially commissioned by the USSR State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting.
Khalif-aist (Khalif-Stork)
- Rating IMDB – 7.6
- Genre: Cartoon, children’s, fantasy, drama, detective, short film
- USSR production / 1981
- Directed by Valery Ugarov
- Cast: Innokenty Smoktunovsky, Natalia Selezneva, Inna Churikova, Vasily Livanov, Harry Bardin, Zinaida Naryshkina, Yuri Yakovlev
One day the Caliph’s guards caught a thief in whose personal belongings the guards found a beautiful box with a powder and a note in Latin. The criminal tells that under the influence of the magic substance, a man is able to turn into any animal and understand the language of animals. It is enough to inhale a pinch of the powder and say «mutabor» for the magical transformation to take place. For the reverse transformation it is necessary again to say a magic word, but in an image of the animal it is impossible to laugh, otherwise the spell will forever disappear from memory.
The animated film won a prize at the All-Union Film Festival in Tallinn.
Blue puppy
- Rating IMDB – 7.3
- Genre: Cartoon, children, short film, musical, family
- USSR production / 1976
- Directed by Yefim Hamburg
- Cast: Alisa Freindlich, Andrei Mironov, Alexander Gradsky, Mikhail Boyarsky
A puppy of unusual color lives on a remote island – and no one wants to make friends with him because of the strange color of his fur. The cute baby is sad and crying from loneliness, and one day he becomes the victim of an insidious kidnapping. The Evil Pirate, with the help of the Black Cat, takes Puppy to the ship, and the Good Sailor rushes in pursuit, despite the danger. The Sea Bandit is ready for any tricks to keep the unusual animal with him, but true and sincere friendship can work wonders.
Initially David Tukhmanov was invited as composer, but the artistic council rejected the chosen work.
Alice in Wonderland (Mini-series)
- Rating IMDB – 7.7
- Genre: Cartoon, children, short film, fantasy, family
- USSR production / 1981
- Directed by Efrem Pruzhansky
- Cast: Marina Neyolova, Georgy Kishko, Vyacheslav Nevinny, Evgeny Paperny, Rostislav Plyatt, Alexander Shirvindt, Tatiana Vasilyeva, Rina Zelenaya, Alexander Burmistrov, Malvina Shvidler
A three-part film adaptation of the fairy tale of the same name by writer Lewis Carroll tells of the adventures of a plucky girl who once chased an unusual white rabbit. Curious Alice follows the fluffy beast – and falls into a deep hole.
Wonderland is completely different from the usual world. Contradictory rules and incomprehensible laws apply here, amazing creatures inhabit the territory, and the magical lands are ruled by the cruel Queen of Worms.
In 1982, the film adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s second book about Alice was released.
Icarus and the Wise Men
- Rating IMDB – 7.7
- Genre: Cartoon, short film
- USSR production / 1976
- Directed by Fedor Khitruk
- Cast: Yakov Smolensky
Ancient society had long ago established a measured and quiet life, and everyone had found his place in society. People spend their free time in philosophical conversations about the meaning of life and high goals. But there is an oddball who stares upwards, dreaming of conquering the sky. Icarus wants to put into practice an idea too progressive for his time – to learn how to soar through the clouds like a bird. Each attempt by the inventor ends in a fall, but the daredevil has no intention of giving up on his dream.
There are about 10 Latin sayings used in the cartoon.
Kele
- Rating IMDB – 6.2
- Genre: Cartoon, short film
- USSR production / 1988
- Directed by Peep Pedmanson, Mikhail Aldashin
- Cast: Polina Snesareva, A. Chuguevskaya, A. Zakrzewski
Two girls from a small Chukchi settlement go berry picking in the tundra, where they discover a pipe. The children decide to play the musical instrument, not knowing that it belongs to the evil monster Kele. Because of the melody, the girls do not hear the footsteps of the approaching monster, who pounces on the friends. The captives manage to escape their captor, but a serious obstacle awaits the children. The road is blocked by a fast river, and the bloodthirsty Kele is already on the runaways’ trail.
The cartoon uses Chukchi folk music.
Contract
- Rating IMDB – 7.3
- Genre: Cartoon, sci-fi, short film
- USSR production / 1985
- Directed by Vladimir Tarasov
- Cast: Vasily Livanov, Alexander Kaidanovsky, Evgeny Steblov, Boris Ivanov
A pioneer colonist arrives on an uninhabited planet, where he encounters an annoying robot merchant. The android tries to sell his goods by any means necessary, and soon the Earthling agrees to a lucrative deal. The colonist’s employer refuses to supply the man with items not specified in the contract, but the robot’s company also forbids him to cooperate with a rival firm. The trap door slams shut, opening the door to the formation of a friendship between man and android.
The cartoon is based on the short story by Robert Silverberg.
Kubik
- Rating IMDB – 7.4
- Genre: Cartoon, short film
- USSR production / 1985
- Directed by Alexander Tatarsky, Igor Kovalev, Vladlen Barbe
- Cast: Alexei Ptitsyn, Alexei Borzunov, Yuri Puzyrev, Artem Karapetyan
This animated almanac consists of several cartoons with original and amusing storylines. An ordinary box of colored pencils can conceal an amazing world, which is created by a young artist with a rich and boundless imagination. It’s enough to draw an outline and fill it with bright hues for the picture to come to life. The hare becomes an assistant to hapless hunters in search of forest prey, and a game of skittles can end with a friendly tea party on top of a tall and complex structure.
In the ’90s, Pilot Studio created several more cartoons with beloved characters from «Kubik».
Who will tell tall tales?
- Rating IMDB – 8.1
- Genre: Cartoon, short film
- USSR production / 1982
- Directed by Robert Sahakyants
- Cast: Oleg Golubitsky, Andrei Tarasov, Yaroslava Turylyova, Stanislav Zakharov, Vladimir Antonik, Yan Yanakiev, Yuri Sorokin
The bored king, at the suggestion of his court counselor, arranges a contest for entertainment and enrichment. The contestants must tell a story so unbelievable that the ruler exclaims: “It’s not true!” If the king «believes» the storyteller, he must donate his possessions to the treasury. All the contestants lose to the ruler in the contest until it is the turn of the three brothers. The oldest and the middle one fail to surprise the king, but the youngest has a cunning and effective scheme for a crushing victory.
The cartoon is based on the Armenian fairy tale «Liar».
Konflikt
- Rating IMDB – 7.8
- Genre: Cartoon, short film
- USSR production / 1983
- Directed by Harry Bardeen
The main characters of the animated film are ordinary matches of different colors, living in separate boxes. An accidental quarrel that began over a trifle quickly develops into a serious confrontation. The feud threatens to turn into a catastrophe, as the flames of the struggle do not spare the participants of the conflict on either side.
The allegory illustrates how fragile peace can be, and the lightning speed with which a dispute can spiral out of control.
The Goskino did not approve the cartoon, calling it too pacifist.
Pereval
- Rating IMDB – 7.2
- Genre: Cartoon, sci-fi, short film
- USSR production / 1988
- Directed by Vladimir Tarasov
- Cast: Alexander Kaidanovsky, Vasily Livanov, Alexander Pashutin, Grigory Semenikhin, Nina Gorenbein, Alina Pokrovskaya
The Pole spacecraft makes an emergency landing on a distant uninhabited planet. As a result of an accident, radioactive elements leak, so the crew members leave the ship in a hurry.
The space travelers manage to establish a settlement at a safe distance from the ship, and over the years they learn to survive in the harsh conditions of the desert planet. The young generation knows nothing of Earth, but believes in the story of the existence of a rescue ship beyond the pass.
The plot is based on the first part of the book by Kir Bulychev «Settlement».
Kontakt
- Rating IMDB – 7.0
- Genre: Cartoon, sci-fi, comedy, short film
- USSR production / 1978
- Directed by Vladimir Tarasov
- Cast: Leonid Chizhik
The artist goes to nature in search of inspiration and beautiful scenery, and the work on the painting is disrupted by the sudden appearance of an alien. The alien can not speak, but has the amazing ability to transform. The humanoid copies exactly what he sees, which terrifies the artist. In a panic, the man leaves the clearing, fleeing from the multicolored monster running after him. It is difficult for the artist to believe in the alien’s good intentions, but the alien finds an original way to communicate.
The cartoon uses the song «Speak Softly Love», which was first heard in the movie «The Godfather».
A box with a secret
- Rating IMDB – 6.6
- Genre: Cartoon, short film
- USSR production / 1976
- Directed by Valery Ugarov
A young boy notices an old music box with a scene on the table. His father remembers a time when the mechanism still worked, but now the machine is broken. The boy is sure that he can figure out the secret of the box if he can get inside – and suddenly his wish is granted. The child is reduced to the size of the mechanism and enters an amazing world of bells and hammers. The operation of the box looks simple, but for the sound of beautiful melodies, the young traveler will have to adjust all the small parts.
The sound effects are created using an analog synthesizer invented by engineer Pyotr Zinoviev.
