Disney in Soviet country, the 1930s

Abstract

The influence of Walt Disney’s films on Soviet animation began to be felt in the mid-1930s. The article discusses in detail the discussions that took place in the USSR on the pages of film journals and in the professional milieu about the work of Disney, the structure of his studio, methods of work, and their applicability to the Soviet animation studios. As the American labor organization was introduced and Soyuzmultfilm was founded, one can see changes in the plot and style of Soviet animation. Discussions then focused on comparing the latest Soviet cartoons with Disney ones and on ways to further develop Soviet animation. Both technical and aesthetic aspects were discussed, as well as issues of ideological content, educational function of cartoons, the role of music, problems of genres, dramaturgical structure, or types of characters. The degree of development of these issues and the diversity of the opinions expressed differs sharply from the discussions that were taking place in other fields of art at that time.

Keywords: Walt Disney, History of Soviet animation, Soviet film critics, Soviet film history, Soyuzmultfilm.