On December 3rd, 2012, Fyodor Khitruk, a marvellous Soviet and Russian animation artist passed away at the age of 95. The heritage that he had left for all of the world, includes the amazing Soviet version of Alan Milne’s “Winnie the Pooh”, “Film, film, film!”, a hilarious saga on filmmaking, adventures of a loveable circus lion Bonifacy and many, many, amazingly many more.
We at Bears & Vodka express our deepest condolences to the relatives of the artist and thank him for his marvellous and very special works. In memory of Fyodor Khitruk, we would like to share with you the cartoons that every grown-up in former Soviet Union knows and loves. Some of them the artist directed and for some—he created the main characters (among which are The Snow Queen, Little Red Riding Hood and hundreds more).
Even though, there is no translation for the videos, it doesn’t matter. These animated films were always so sincere and honest, that you wouldn’t need any translation. The language of art and sincerity can be understood without subtitles.
Winnie the Pooh and All His Friends
Bonifacy’s Holiday
Toptyzhka
Film, film, film!
The Snow Queen
Petya and Little Red Riding Hood
There are people in Russia directly responsible for the upbringing of whole generations. They weren’t leaders of any parties, they weren’t even in the Ministry of Education. And yet—they have done more for the Soviet kids than all of the politicians combined together. These people, animation artists, were making cartoons and animated films that influenced so many minds that after decades people can pretty much quote their favorite characters. And every time one of them passes away, an epoch seems to go away too.
