User reviews

I only recognised Fyodor Khitruk as the director of the Soviet Winnie-the-Pooh films, beginning with 'Vinni-Pukh (1969),' but here is another of his pleasant animated films. Winner of the Grand Prize for Best Short Film at the Cannes Film Festival, 'Ostrov / Island (1973)' is a genial critique on the selfishness of modern society. Animated in a minimalist fashion that recalls a simple newspaper comic-strip, this ten-minute film uses the allegory of a person stranded on a minute desert island to explore the reluctance of others to lend a helping hand if it doesn't benefit themselves. This apparently suggests the moral degradation of society as a whole, symbolised by a floating newspaper than only features news of warfare, gory horror movies, half-dressed women and gunfire. As the main character patiently awaits his rescue, dozens of passersby either ignore his waving hand or exploit his unfortunate predicament for their own gain.

'Ostrov' takes a simple scenario and uses it to make an obvious point, but it does so in a pleasant manner – without hardly a hint of bitterness nor malice towards the society it is condemning; rather, it exhibits something closer to quiet disapproval. Produced at Soyuzmultfilm studio, the film seems like a political work, but not one specifically relevant towards the Soviet Union. Indeed, any Western country could be accused of the injustices featured in the film. While waiting on his island, the main character is interrogated by Interpol officers, conquered by an imperialist ship, loses his lone palm tree to greedy loggers, is consoled by a missionary who promptly abandons him, is thoroughly examined by impartial scientists, and harassed by journalists. He is eventually rescued, in a genuinely bittersweet ending, by somebody whose situation is just as hopeless as his own, suggesting that basic human goodness does still exist, however discretely.

Fyodor Khitruk to me was one of Russia's finest animation directors (evident from the Winnie the Pooh films and 'The Lion and the Bull'), he also contributed heavily to some of Soyuzmultfilm's best work as an animator. Am a fan of Soyzmultfilm and consider their output remarkably consistent, only faltering with their more political efforts. They were at their best in the 1950s and 1960s with their fairytale/folktale adaptations and in their classical music oriented efforts, but were still doing some fine work in the 1970s.

1973's 'The Island' is Khitruk's most famous short film (or should we say overall work), and as wonderful as 1984's 'The Lion and the Bull' is this is even better and even more powerful. Khitruk did a lot of fantastic work, and 'The Island' is one of his finest and most interesting. As far as Soyuzmutfilm's 1970s output goes, this is among my favourites. It is an exceptionally well done and emotionally impactful short that provokes a lot of thought afterwards, even with the subject it has not dated too much.

'The Island' succeeds in every area. The animation is truly delightful and does such a lot in telling the story. The visuals often speak louder than words and in a way that is suitably uncompromising (not inappropriate considering the subject). The sound is suitably haunting without being over-bearing.

Also found the titular character very engaging and rootable in a very difficult scenario. One that is very powerfully depicted, not holding back on the increasing sense of dread but surprisingly not being heavy handed. Which is not always the case with political satires or anything politically related, too many of Soyuzmultfilm's political efforts (or Russia's) also came over as thirty years out of date. Not the case here.

Satire itself is very on the nose, which may not sit comfortably with all, but it is of the razor sharp, hard hitting and thoughtful kind. It is also a lot more accessible than the very adult subject suggests. The story doesn't move too fast while also not being over-deliberate, the increasing tension in the conflict is done extremely well. The bittersweet ending is very poignant and the writing didn't feel too wordy to me,

In conclusion, wonderful. 10/10.