Magia Russica
Encyclopedia
Magia Russica is an Israeli-Russian documentary film, written, directed and produced by Yonathan and Masha Zur (Yonathan & Masha Films). It depicts the untold story of Russian animation in Soviet times.
The film, released in 2004, is Yonathan and Masha Zur’s first film. Magia Russica premiered at the 2004 Haifa Film Festival, and since then has been screened at 45 film festivals, animation festivals, and documentary film festivals around the globe. It was also released on DVD in the USA, Japan, France, and Israel. It was broadcast in 5 different countries.
. Combining heartfelt moral allegory with astonishing craftsmanship, they had a power and sincerity to which much modern stuff pales. Drawing on masses of archive clips, including footage from rare classics, Magia Russica gathers surviving animators of the Soyuzmultfilm
studio to give a passionate account of production under communist rule. A rich visual treat, this is also the story of the boundaries of art and ideology, and of men dedicated to magical cinema.
, and it means “Russian Magic.” It is taken from one of the main characters’ (Fyodor Khitruk) reference to animation
as a sort of magic or sorcery. The filmmakers chose a Latin title since their initial intention was to expose this art form to the world outside of Russia from an outsider’s point of view.
and the surroundings in spring 2003, used the money they received as wedding presents a few months before the shooting. While shooting, Yonathan was the cameraman and the soundman, while Masha interviewed the participants. The only exception was the winter visuals of the film, which were shot by local Moscow cameraman Anton Michalev.
- Greek Parliament TV, ETV
Estonia, Canal+ Poland
, Telewizja Polska
- TVP Poland).
The film, released in 2004, is Yonathan and Masha Zur’s first film. Magia Russica premiered at the 2004 Haifa Film Festival, and since then has been screened at 45 film festivals, animation festivals, and documentary film festivals around the globe. It was also released on DVD in the USA, Japan, France, and Israel. It was broadcast in 5 different countries.
Content summary
Some of the most beautiful animations in cinema came out of Soviet RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Combining heartfelt moral allegory with astonishing craftsmanship, they had a power and sincerity to which much modern stuff pales. Drawing on masses of archive clips, including footage from rare classics, Magia Russica gathers surviving animators of the Soyuzmultfilm
Soyuzmultfilm
Soyuzmultfilm is a Russian animation studio based in Moscow. Over the years it has gained international attention and respect, garnering numerous awards both at home and abroad. Noted for a great variety of style, it is regarded as the most influential animation studio of the former Soviet Union...
studio to give a passionate account of production under communist rule. A rich visual treat, this is also the story of the boundaries of art and ideology, and of men dedicated to magical cinema.
Participants
The film contains visits to studios and interviews with some of Russia’s greatest past and current animators and animation filmmakers.- Yuri Norstein, considered by many in the world as the best animator alive
- Fyodor KhitrukFyodor KhitrukFyodor Savelyevich Khitruk is one of the most influential animators and animation directors in Russian animation.-Biography:Khitruk was born in Tver, Russian Empire and came to Moscow to study graphic design at the OGIS College for Applied Arts. He graduated in 1936 and started to work with...
- Garry Bardin
- Eduard Nazarov
- Aleksandr TatarskiyAleksandr TatarskiyAleksander Mihailovich Tatarskiy was a Soviet/Russian animation film director, script writer and producer, animator and an artist of Ukrainian origin...
- Iosif BoyarskyIosif BoyarskyIosif Boyarsky was a Russian animator and director, who was considered one of the fathers of Soviet animation. Boyarsky was the longtime Director of the Model Animation Association of Soyuzmultfilm Studio, an award winning Russian animation studio based in Moscow.Boyarsky was born in Moscow on...
Title
The title is in LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, and it means “Russian Magic.” It is taken from one of the main characters’ (Fyodor Khitruk) reference to animation
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
as a sort of magic or sorcery. The filmmakers chose a Latin title since their initial intention was to expose this art form to the world outside of Russia from an outsider’s point of view.
Production
The film took two years to complete. Since the initiative was completely independent, it had no sponsorship or funding from any broadcasters or funds. Yonathan and Masha Zur, who set out to film all the materials in four condensed weeks in MoscowMoscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
and the surroundings in spring 2003, used the money they received as wedding presents a few months before the shooting. While shooting, Yonathan was the cameraman and the soundman, while Masha interviewed the participants. The only exception was the winter visuals of the film, which were shot by local Moscow cameraman Anton Michalev.
Reception
For a film made in an almost underground manner, Magia Russica was received warmly by different kinds of audiences around the world. It was chosen as a main program for the 2006 international ASIFA day. The film was screened in 45 film festivals, animation festivals and documentary film festivals around the globe; released on DVD in the United States, Japan, France and Israel; and broadcasted in different countries (8 Channel Israel, YLE Finland, Vouli TileorasiVouli Tileorasi
Vouli Tileorasi is a Greek network dedicated to airing non-stop coverage of government proceedings and public affairs programming. The name comes from Greek Βουλή Vouli, meaning ‘assembly’, ‘council’, or ‘parliament’; and Tileorasi, meaning television.The primary aim of the channel is to give...
- Greek Parliament TV, ETV
Eesti Televisioon
Eesti Televisioon is the national public television station of Estonia. It made its first broadcast on 19 July 1955.The bulk of ETV's funding comes from government grant-in-aid, around 15% of which is in turn funded by the fees paid by Estonian commercial broadcasters in return for their...
Estonia, Canal+ Poland
Canal+ Poland
Canal+ Poland is Poland's variation of the French television network Canal+. It is similar in many ways, including continuity and presentation. It also shows similar programs to Canal+ France like the tv-series The Simpsons....
, Telewizja Polska
Telewizja Polska
Telewizja Polska Spółka Akcyjna is Poland's public broadcasting corporation...
- TVP Poland).
External links
- Official Site
- Magia Russica at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
- Magia Russica in Israeli Film Center
- Magia Russica review in DVDclassik
- Magia Russica review in DVDAnime
- L'héritage de l'animation soviétique fêté et regretté au Festival d'Annecy - Magia Russica review in Le MondeLe MondeLe Monde is a French daily evening newspaper owned by La Vie-Le Monde Group and edited in Paris. It is one of two French newspapers of record, and has generally been well respected since its first edition under founder Hubert Beuve-Méry on 19 December 1944...
, by Isabelle Regnier, 15.6.2005