ABOUT THE SHORT FILMS
Reverie Cineclub is delighted to present a special selection of six animated shorts from the DEFA Studio for Animation Film in Dresden, Germany, in celebration of its 80th anniversary this year.
Founded in 1946, the studio would go on to become the leading producer of animated films in the GDR, creating more than 750 works across a wide range of techniques, from hand-drawn cartoons to puppet and silhouette stop-motion. Endearingly referred to in Germany as ‘Trickfilme’ – as in a magic trick or illusion created through animation – these children's films often followed the whimsical adventures of little animals and toys brought to life through tales of slapstick mischief, curiosity and friendship.
This joyful selection includes the story of a little frog who longs to explore the world; a cheeky green devil who steals one too many Berliner Pfannkuchen; and Sergei Prokofiev's beloved symphonic fairy tale for children, Peter and the Wolf.
THE PROGRAMME
Ein friedlicher Tag (A Peaceful Day)
A beetle flees from a bird. There is no hiding place where it is safe from its pursuer. It hides in a dark crevice where the bird’s beak cannot reach. The beetle laughs at the bird. It has not yet realized that it is sitting in the space between the earth and the sole of a man’s shoe.
dir. Sieglinde Hamacher, 5 min, East Germany, 1985
No dialogue
Alle helfen Teddy (Everyone Helps Teddy)
Nighttime in the kindergarten and the toys are all asleep. Only the little bunny is on night watch. There’s a bad storm outside, but the bunny is brave and gets over its fear. Suddenly, a gust of wind pushes the window open. The bunny panics, and now the teddy bear is in danger! The little bunny, the monkey and the elephant start a rescue operation.
dir. Monika Anderson, 13 min, East Germany, 1960
No dialogue
Vom Fröschlein und seinem Reifen (The Little Frog and His Tire)
A little frog jumps out of the pond and wants to see the world. He is excited about all his new discoveries… until he meets the dangerous stork, who almost eats him. Luckily, he manages to escape at the last minute.
dir. Heinz Nagel, 4 min, East Germany, 1964
No dialogue
Der Wettlauf (The Race)
The wire men Kurz (Short) and Lang (Long) want to race each other. They choose a tree on the horizon as their destination. While Kurz prepares for the race, Lang measures the course. Unnoticed, he draws a moat across the track. The start takes place. Initially, Kurz and Lang are tied, but Lang jumps over at the ditch and Kurz remains sadly on the sidelines. The beaming winner is Lang. Kurz calls on the unfair Lang to run a second race.
dir. Günter Rätz, 6 min, East Germany, 1963
No dialogue
Alarm im Kasperletheater (Alarm at the Puppet Theater)
Funny things happen at night at the puppet theater – especially today, since there were jelly donuts for Grandma’s birthday! When the little green devil decides to run away and take the whole bowl for himself, a grand chase ensues – through the village, over water, and into the sky – as the other puppets try to reclaim their stolen treats. Although the devil eats all the treats, he is rightly punished with a terrible stomachache! This East German animation classic is based on a picture book written by Nils Werner.
dir. Lothar Barke, 16 min, East Germany, 1960
In German with English subtitles
Peter und der Wolf (Peter and the Wolf)
Peter and the little bird outwit the dangerous wolf. They catch him and bring him to a zoo in a parade. This puppet animation film is based on Sergei Prokofiev’s symphonic fairy tale for children, Peter and the Wolf. Each character in the tale is represented by a corresponding orchestral instrument, helping children learn to distinguish the sound of each instrument.
dir. Günter Rätz, 14 min, East Germany, 1974
No dialogue
Tickets and further information can be found via the Garden Cinema website.
Films courtesy of Deutsche Kinemathek – Museum für Film und Fernsehen.