Am immensely fond of Russian animation, films too but even more so animation, and have been for nearly a decade. A lot of the best of it came from Soyuzmultfilm, some of the best non-UK/US animations coming from them. One of the most notable and prolific artists and directors to come out of the studio being Ivan Ivanov-Vano, though there were other directors too responsible for some of the studio's best work.

'Forest Concert', another relatively early effort for Soyuzmultfilm (founded in 1936 though under a different name) and mid-career for Ivanov-Vano (who had started his career in the 20s not long after graduating), is not quite Ivanov-Vano at the top of his game or one of Soyuzmultfilm's best. It is still well made, charming and amusing, and it is one of those cartoons that is likely to make one want to see more of Soyuzmultfilm's work if not familiar with it already and where it is very easy to see their appeal.

There is not an awful lot of story and the animals are far more interesting and have much more personality than the painter, who came over to me as a bit bland.

With that being said, there is so much to like about 'Forest Concert'. One of 'Forest Concert's' best assets is the animation, loved the rich colours but it is the attention to the little visual details like what the animals dream up and the background landscapes that are bigger stars. The latter is especially notable. The music has whimsy, sumptuous orchestration, merriment and atmosphere, never feeling at odds to me with the action.

It is an immensely charming and it was good that there was enough interest sustained. It didn't fall into the traps of being corny or too cutesy. The animal characters are engaging.

Definitely well worth the viewing. 8/10

Russian cinema is distinguished by its epic scale, philosophical depth, and innovative visual language. It often explores history, ideology, and the human psyche, with a tradition of psychological realism and artistic experimentation. Russian cinema contributed revolutionary theories of editing and later a spiritual approach to film language. It remains known for combining formal experimentation with profound explorations of endurance and belief.

Nikolay Grinko, Aleksandr Kaydanovskiy, and Anatoliy Solonitsyn in Stalker (1979)

Animation is a form of visual storytelling that involves creating visual art and motion through the use of various techniques and technologies. In animation, images are manipulated to create the illusion of movement, bringing characters, objects, and environments to life. Animation can encompass a wide range of styles, themes, and intended audiences, making it a diverse and versatile form of storytelling.

Daveigh Chase, Rumi Hiiragi, and Mari Natsuki in Spirited Away (2001)

The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

The cartoon, intended for an adult viewer, was created based on the fables of Sergey Mikhalkov, combined with dance and musical interludes.

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The Forest Concert

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