Soyuzmultfilm's vast output has given me great pleasure for nearly a decade now and it is a shame that a lot of their output is much worthier of more credit than it has at the moment. It is rare to find a studio where what has been seen of theirs, which is a vast majority in my case, has never been average or less. With their best work being as close to perfect as Russian animation gets. That's refreshing when one sees at least one misfire with most studios and some studios that don't even have a single good effort and their best being average at best.
1969's 'Seasons' is in the top half of Soyuzmultfilm's work, and of the work of director Ivan Ivanov-Vano (really like to love what has been seen, which is a vast majority, of his work), yet sadly among their most under-valued it seems. It is gorgeously animated, very delicate and very charming and anything that contains the music of one of Russian's greatest composers (my personal favourite actually) Tchaikovsky immediately has me sold.
One of 'Seasons' biggest assets is the animation, which is nothing short of stunning. Loved the varied and richly textured colours, the complex attention to detail in the backgrounds, the depiction of the beauty of Russian nature (some of the most beautiful) and how it fitted so well with the characters' psychology. When it comes to visuals and music, it is difficult to better Russian animation and cinema's depiction of winter especially. Tchaikovsky's music is sublime on its own and fits perfectly for all four segments, especially spring and winter with the former being suitably quaint and lushly orchestrated and the latter having much mystery and pathos.
There are a wide ranging mix of emotions in 'Seasons', joy in summer and loneliness in autumn being most striking. Found myself very touched and charmed throughout. The story may basically be four segments tied together, but it captures the psychology of the young couple so well, has a lot of emotion and has a sense of going on a plausible and relatable journey in characterisation (which matures more and more as the story progresses) and emotion. Matched perfectly by the visuals and music.
A wonderful job too is done celebrating the seasons, summer is just so joyful, in a way that is so distinctively Russian (meant in a very good way) and Russian nature is so movingly and affectionately depicted with much charm, poignancy and nostalgia. Going from charmed in spring to being an emotional wreck by the time winter comes. The young couple are easy to relate to from the get go, especially if there is anybody who has been there (haven't been myself but have seen it happen with most of my family), and their relationship and actions resonate. That it's wordless works in its favour, showing the beauty of telling such a lot without having to say anything which is something that impresses me all the time and actually wish was done more.
In conclusion, truly beautiful. 10/10
