Homage to Jiři Trnka, the "Eastern Europe's Walt Disney" - Anim'est 2012

Jiři Trnka (1912-1969), one of the most influential personalities of Czech art of the twentieth century is being praised at 2012 Anim'est. The festival dedicates a special review to commemorate 100 years from the birth of a puppet master.

Trnka began to be interested in puppets since secondary school when his art teacher, the puppeteer and theater man Josef Skupa, discovered his talent. Later, he attended the School of Decorative Arts in Prague (whose teacher was to become in 1967) and practiced in graphics and illustration for magazines, newspapers and books. In the '30s and '40s, he was the creator of his own puppet theater, designer of the National Theatre and the Provisional Theatre, artistic director of animation studio "Bratři v triku".

In June 1945, Jiři Trnka becomes the artistic director of the animated film studio in Prague. During the same year, he finishes his first film, "Zasadildědekřepu" ("Grandfather planted a beet"). The following year he made three short films - "Zviřatka a petrovšti" ("Animals and bandits"), "Darek" ("Gift") and "Perak a SS" ("The runner and the SS men") - each bringing an innovation in thematics and design. His movies are awarded at international festivals, making Trnka a recognized personality in the world of animation. Until then, animation production was dominated by the American Walt Disney. Trnka shows that it is possible to assert yourself as an independent artist and to explore new ways of expression.

In a year that knows a huge success in the world of animation film, Trnka recasts his attention to the possibilities of puppet animation, but even in this area he prefers to follow his own path. The experience he had in film and puppet theater, next to his knowledge of graphics, prove to be fruitful. His first film, "Betlem" ("Bethlehem", 1947), captures the traditional Czech Christmas atmosphere. There will follow new episodes about the habits and traditions throughout the year.

The Trnka puppet film’s echo among international critics outruns his cartoon films’ success, which is a proof of the inspired choice to  work with puppets.

During the retrospective, the audience will be able to follow a special program of Jiří Trnka’s animation, including A Midsummer Night's Dream and the first doll feature film in the world, after Shakespeare's play, awarded at Cannes and Venice, The King’s Nightingale, awarded the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival, or The Hand, an allegory about power and oppression, a fantastic story about a potter who is required to make a model after himself.

The Anim'est audience can enjoy a special exhibition presenting Jiří Trnka’s films in images. Boards depicting different sketches and characters from the animator’s films, and some of the original dolls created by him will be exhibited at the Studio Cinema during the festival.

The Jiři Trnka Anim’est retrospective  is possible with the help of Czech Centre in Bucharest.