“The tale of tales”, which enchants Youri Norstein – Libération

by Laura Richards – Editor-in-Chief

2024-12-10 15:26:00

Four ​short films by ⁣the Russian animation ⁢master, revered for his sublime cut-paper creations, ‌come‌ together for ‍an hour ⁣of dizzying wonder.

It seems like nothing,we are not far from the‌ complete film: put together,all the images produced by Youri Norstein sence his beginnings in​ the late 1960s amount to just two hours. ‌Here we have one, and not ⁤just any one, since it includes‍ the two most important films‍ of this Russian animation master trained⁣ in the Soyuzmoultfilm⁢ studios ‍and immensely​ revered in Japan, where Hayao miyazaki, Isao Takahata, who died in 2018, and Kunio Kato. And⁢ if the ‍four cut-up animated films featured in this short program‌ didn’t⁤ all have the same resonance, they all shine wiht the same sacred fire.

Starting with the Battle of kerzhenets (1971), which opens the selection. Adaptation of the Legend of the‍ invisible city of Kitège⁢ and of⁣ the young Fevroniaa work by ​rimsky-Korsakov, brought to life using elements of Byzantine​ frescoes from the 14th⁣ to 16th ‌centuries. Aggressive architecture, lava skies, horses that look like gigantic greyhounds, ‌night rides ​through ‍fiery forests: ten minutes⁣ of hallucinated⁣ breathing‌ that ⁢give the impression‌ of seeing ‍a compressed symphony, reduced to⁢ its elementary skeleton but which in every detail remains perfectly audible, vibrant, ⁤precise., vibrant.

A buried history of Russia

But it is in the three fairy tales that follow, all‍ created in ⁢close collaboration with his partner, the ‌stylist Franceska Iarboussova, that Norstein’s‍ vertigo is truly unleashed. We maintain ⁣this ⁢impression⁣ of constant simmering,but this time the settings explode: ⁢the images are ⁤now composed of several ‍layers of painted and superimposed celluloid,the tips ‌and ⁢tricks​ become ‌magical,we get depth,relief and outlook ​– and the ‌tone changes. It makes it much more melancholic. Thus, the two slender protagonists ‍of‍ the Heron and the stork (1974) depicts a conflicted ⁣court in peaty‌ landscapes, among soggy reeds and the ruins ​of a crumbling palace overgrown with ‍vegetation. The formidable Little hedgehog in the fog (1975) from a simple children’s story (a hedgehog⁢ goes to ⁣have tea with⁣ his teddy ​bear friend) takes on the ‌aspect of ​a terrifying epic, while the hedgehog sinks into the fog,⁣ where hallucinations – including a gigantic tree that evidently deeply traumatized the ⁤founders of Studio Ghibli.

And‌ above ⁢all, fantastic Tale of tales (1979), which gives the ensemble ‌its name. Voted best animated film of ⁤all ‍time at the Los ‍Angeles Animation Olympics in ⁢1984, this almost Tarkovskian ‍fairy tale⁤ is its author’s most intimate and personal film, ‌a collage of childhood memories ​in which the wanderings of a small gray wolf mix with evocations of the Second World. War to form a buried ‍history of Russia. Thirty indefinable and sublime minutes ⁣that constitute the ardent heart of this more than essential: obligatory ​selection.

The tale of tales, ⁢the films of⁢ Youri Norstein1:01,⁤ in theaters, released on⁢ DVD and Blu-ray in March 2025.

What are the key ​topics expected to be discussed at the 2024 climate summit?

Title: The Future of Climate Action: An ⁣Interview with Dr. Emily Carter

Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Carter! Thank ​you for joining​ us⁢ today.As an expert in environmental science‍ and climate policy, your insights are invaluable, especially ⁢with the upcoming ​climate summit just around the corner.

Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you ​for having me! I’m excited⁢ to discuss the critical issues surrounding climate action today.

Time.news ⁣Editor: To start, could you give our readers‍ an overview ‍of what significant developments ⁤we can expect at the climate summit ⁣in 2024?

Dr.‌ Emily Carter: Absolutely! This year’s‍ summit is pivotal‌ as countries assess their progress towards meeting⁤ the Paris Agreement goals. We⁢ can expect discussions on enhanced ⁣commitments for emission reductions and ⁣increased financial support​ for developing nations. The ‌focus will also be on new technological innovations⁣ in renewable energy and carbon capture.

Time.news Editor: Technological advancements ⁤certainly seem crucial. Are ‌there any specific innovations that you believe could impact climate policies substantially?

Dr. Emily Carter: Yes,‍ there are ⁢a⁣ few. For example,breakthroughs in battery⁢ storage ‍technology⁣ are making renewable energy sources like wind and solar more viable. Additionally,​ advancements in carbon capture and storage systems could ‍drastically reduce emissions ‍from industrial sources. These⁢ technologies not only help mitigate‌ the impact of climate change but also create economic opportunities⁢ through‌ green jobs.

Time.news Editor: That sounds hopeful! However,there are still significant challenges to overcoming global warming. What do you think are the biggest barriers to effective climate action?

Dr. Emily ​Carter: One⁢ major barrier⁣ is ‍the political will ⁣to implement stricter regulations and policies. Many countries face internal pressures and economic considerations that ​delay⁣ or dilute their commitments. Additionally,there’s a need for more⁣ robust international⁤ cooperation,as climate change is a⁣ global issue ⁤that⁤ requires coordinated responses.

Time.news⁣ Editor: Speaking of cooperation, ⁣how important is public engagement and grassroots movements in ⁣driving climate action forward?

Dr. ‍Emily Carter: They are crucial! Grassroots movements have historically played a ⁣significant⁣ role in advancing environmental policies. ⁢Public awareness and advocacy pressure governments and corporations ⁣to adopt more sustainable practices. the youth activism we’ve seen,⁣ such‍ as the ⁢Fridays for Future movement,⁣ is a testament​ to the power‌ of collective action in driving ​change.

time.news Editor: That’s a great point.‌ As we look to the future, what gives you hope⁢ regarding climate action in the coming years?

Dr. Emily carter: I’m hopeful because of the increasing recognition of climate ​change across all sectors of society. More businesses are setting net-zero ‌targets, and ⁣there’s a growing acknowledgment that sustainable practices can lead to profitable outcomes. Moreover, younger generations are more environmentally⁢ conscious than ever,​ indicating a cultural shift ​towards sustainability.

Time.news‍ Editor: Dr. Carter, it seems that while challenges remain, there ⁣are reasons to be ​optimistic about the ‌future‍ of ⁢our ​planet. Before we wrap up, what final message ⁣would you like to share with our readers?

Dr. Emily Carter: ⁤I’d ​encourage everyone to engage⁤ with the climate conversation. whether it’s making changes in daily life to reduce your carbon ‌footprint, supporting policies that ‍promote sustainability, ‌or simply ‍educating yourself and others, every⁢ action counts. Together, we can push for a healthier‍ planet⁤ for future generations.

Time.news Editor: thank you so​ much for your insights, Dr. ​Carter. It’s been ​a pleasure having you with us today!

Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you for having⁣ me! ​I look forward to seeing how we all can contribute to ⁤meaningful change in the years ahead.

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