Synopsis

The creator of a movie that combines music and animation is furious when he realizes that such a movie has already been made in Hollywood. He assembles an orchestra of old ladies, an eccentric conductor, and an animator who has been imprisoned for years, and orders them to create a fantastical work. Despite violence and intimidation from the producer and conductor, the animator manages to create a vibrant, fantastical animation, all the while seeking adorable revenge on his tormentors. A classic animation by Bruno Bozzetto, known as one of the three great animation directors alongside Frederic Back and Yuri Norstein. Inspired by Disney's Fantasia as a child, Bruno Bozzetto created his own style of animation that was a far cry from Fantasia. The seamless and whimsical transitions from live action to animation, the use of framing, and the intriguing storytelling are so good that the physical texture of the film is a pleasant distraction from the past. Imagination and whimsical humor fill the screen as much as the music, which ranges from Debussy's score to Ravel's Bolero, Dvorak's Slavonic Suite, Sibelius' Sad Waltz, Vivaldi's Concerto, and Stravinsky's Firebird.

Director

Bruno Bozzetto

Born in Milan, Italy in 1938, Bruno Bozzetto is a legendary animator and filmmaker best known for his satirical and musical animated films. He gained international recognition with his feature-length animation Allegro Non Troppo (1976), a humorous and often dark parody of Disney’s Fantasia. Bozzetto's works are celebrated for their clever use of visual metaphors, political satire, and expressive animation style. Over his prolific career, he has directed numerous short films, commercials, and educational animations, becoming a prominent figure in European animation.