Review: Lev i byk (The Lion and the Bull) — Directed by Fyodor Khitruk
Lev i byk is a 1984 Soviet-era animated film that is based on Aesop's fable: The Lion and the Bulls. In this adaptation, a bull living out in the savannah collapses after being overworked by its master. The farmer mistakes him for dead and leaves him there. When the Bull is finally able to rise it must begin building a life for itself as a free creature. Quickly, it develops a report amongst the other animals for its strength. It also catches the weary intrigue of the Lion. At first their friendship is amicable, but there are underlying tensions between them. As time passes though, those unresolved concerns rise between them thanks to the conniving Jackal. Knowing that the uneasy tension between the two Beasts can be easily exploited, he looks for ways to do so.
This ten minute picture is a silent film with no dialogue. It does however have breathtaking artwork and beautiful instrumentals and sound effects. Art in this picture is simple but well-drawn. This feature is proof that a great storyteller doesn't need words to relay a message to its audience. If a picture is worth a thousand words...then this piece is worth at least an article and perhaps its own chapter in a book on Soviet and Russian/Eastern European cinematic history. It is amazing to see how such a story could be told without the use of words. The two characters and their design are well thought-out and how they move on the screen is breathtaking. In many ways this cartoon is also reflective of earlier Soviet silent films.
The Soviet cartoon was a thoughtful piece that took a classic Greek fable and gave it a modern spin. During this time period, both the US and the USSR lived with the extremely real possibility of a nuclear war and how this reality was always closer than either party wanted. According to Kubrick Lynch, this animated film expressed anti-war sentiments. It is also a metaphorical reflection of how the aforementioned two nations are equitable in terms of their strength and how easily the envy of other parties and disinformation can set the stage for further conflicts. (As for which nation is the Lion and which one is the Bull...that remains open to interpretation.) In these times, where we are yet again being threatened by the possibility of another nuclear war by leaders who have no concern for the welfare of others...it is truly a relevant piece. The courage to not only create such a modern take on a beloved story but also a thoughtful reflection of current events, is worthy of recognition.
Speaking of acknowledgment, this cartoon received awards and honors. It should also be noted that the Lion and the Bull was actually a 1983 Soviet entry into the International Film Festival "Cinanima" in Espinho, wherein its director received an Honorary Diploma. Afterwards, it went on to be showed in the International Short Film Festival in Tampere, Finland. It also was featured in the International Festival of Animation Films in Toronto-- where it went on to receive an "Audience Prize". While the 80s were a notoriously difficult decade for Soviet animation...this film was still able to procure the results to show the thoughtful mark of Soviet animators.
Since this film is silent, I cannot list any favorite quotes. There are several key moments throughout the film though that are worth watching, such as when the Lion and the Bull encounter each other for the first time. The metaphor of this parable to the events between the Soviet Union and the United States still resound to this day. With the Russo-Ukrainian War being waged and the threat of nuclear weapons being once more used...it's somber and terrifying. I think about the world that we are building for the generations to come and I fear for the sake of the citizens of Russia, Ukraine, and the world.
You can watch the full film here.
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