Black and White (1932 film)

Black and White is a 1932 Soviet animated short film directed by Ivan Ivanov-Vano and Leonid Amalrik. Based on the poem of the same name written By Vladimir Maykovsky.

Black and White
Directed byIvan Ivanov-Vano, Leonid Amalrik
Written byVladimir Mayakovsky (based on his poem), Iosif Sklyut
Music byGerman Hamburg
Animation byA. Bergengrin, E. Felzer, K. Malyshev, Erich Wilhelm Steiger
Production
company
Release date
  • 1932 (1932)
Running time
7 minutes
CountrySoviet Union

It was narrated and voiced by Konstantin Eggert.

Themes

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The film addresses issues of racism in the Southern United States sugar industry. Themes of racial injustice, racial violence, working-class solidarity dominate the film. It depicts black men working in a field, walking in chains, sitting behind bars, and being executed in an electric chair. In most scenes, a white authority figure is seen whipping or guarding the men. The last image of the film is Vladimir Lenin's last name. The soundtrack of the film is the traditional Negro spiritual entitled "Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child".[1] sung by the famous singer Paul Robeson.

Aesthetic approach

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Stylistically the animated short, like many other European animated films, places emphasis the communication of ideas and messages; a direct contrast to the style favored by Disney, which sought to "create relatable characters with expressive personalities and attitudes."[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Animated Soviet Propaganda - American Imperialist: Black and White (2:29)". YouTube / Mezhrabpom / Soyuzmultfilm. 4 July 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  2. ^ Amidi, Amid (2006). Cartoon Modern: Style and Design in Fifties Animation. Chronicle Books LLC. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-8118-4731-5.
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