TREASURES OF SOVIET ANIMATION, VOL. 2: THE FILMS OF LEV ATAMANOV

A trio of gems from the vaults of Soyuzmultfilm studios, focused on Soviet-Armenian director Lev Atamanov (1905-1981): a brilliant artist whose lyrical storytelling and stunning imagery put him on par with masters such as Disney and Miyazaki (who praised THE SNOW QUEEN as “my destiny and my favorite film.”)

THE SNOW QUEEN (1957, 65 mins.) Atamanov’s sublime masterpiece based on Hans Christian Andersen’s story of resourceful young girl Gerda as she embarks on an epic journey to save her friend Kay from the frozen embraces of the magnificent Snow Queen “Had I not one day seen THE SNOW QUEEN during a screening hosted by the company labor union, I honestly doubt I would have continued as an animator.” – Hayao Miyazaki

THE SCARLET FLOWER (1952, 42 mins) A bejeweled fantasy adventure mixing Ptushko’s THE STONE FLOWER and SADKO with Cocteau’s BEAUTY & THE BEAST. A ship’s captain promises his youngest daughter a scarlet flower as a gift. But when he plucks it, the enraged beast who owns it demands a sacrifice – and the girl offers herself as the monster’s prisoner on an enchanted isle.

THE KEY (1961, 58 mins) Atamanov’s quirky gem is one of his most surprising efforts, a surreal parable about the benefits of Magic vs. Good Hard Work. THE KEY is told in a totally different visual style than Atamanov’s lush earlier works, closer to the mid-century modern look of UPA circa “Gerald McBoing Boing” and “Mr. Magoo.”