S2 E1 • KINO-CIRCUS (1942)

An overview of films included in the second season which focus on Anti-Nazi Propaganda. These films are a reaction to the Nazi invasion of 1941. While Americans were mocked relentlessly, at least they remained human. After breaking the non-aggression pact and declaring war, the Nazis became animals in the propaganda films, turning into snarling warthogs and depraved vultures.

S2 E2 • FASCIST BOOTS ON OUR HOMELAND (1941)

One of a handful of animated short “political posters” that survived World War II, this one ridicules Hitler and his cronies. The master of ceremonies is a caricature of the USSR’s most famous clown, Karandash, whose name means pencil in Russian.

Première diffusion : 1 janvier 1942

S2 E3 • THE VULTURES (1941)

A political film-poster made in the first months after the Nazi invasion of the USSR. Sound track is from the popular march “Our Armor Is Strong and Our Tanks Are Fast.” Vocals by the Alexandrov Ensemble.

Première diffusion : 1 janvier 1941

S2 E4 • FOUR ANTI-HITLER NEWSREELS (POLITICAL SATIRE) (1941)

Fascist invaders portrayed as vultures. Original sound was not found.

Première diffusion : 1 janvier 1941

S2 E5 • TO YOU, MOSCOW (1947)

Four animated shorts from World War II. “A Mighty Handshake” is the only animated propaganda film in this series which shows a capitalist country in a positive light – in this case British and Soviet soldiers cooperate in the war against the Nazis.

Première diffusion : 1 janvier 1941

S2 E6 • THE ADVENTURES OF THE YOUNG PIONEERS (1971)

An animated history of the city of Moscow, including the Nazi invasion, made to honor of the city’s 800th anniversary.

Première diffusion : 1 janvier 1947

S2 E7 • THE PIONEER'S VIOLIN (1971)

Boy scouts and girl scouts, known as Pioneer Pens, defy German forces occupying their village by flying a Soviet flag over Nazi headquarters. Captured as partisans, they are rescued by the Red army.

Première diffusion : 1 janvier 1971

S2 E8 • VASILYOK (1973)

A Nazi soldier tries to force a young Soviet boy scout to play a German song on his violin. Instead he defiantly plays the [then] Soviet national anthem, “The International,” and is shot by the Nazi.

Première diffusion : 1 janvier 1971

S2 E9 • A LESSON NOT LEARNED (1971)

World War II left Soviet children without fathers and grandfathers. Vasilok searches everywhere for his grandfather, and finally discovers he was a war hero, so famous a ship was named for him.

Première diffusion : 1 janvier 1973

S2 E10 • ATTENTION! WOLVES! (1970)

Based on caricatures by Boris Yefimov, who is interviewed in Part 4 of the series. This film was made in reaction to “revanchism” – fear that Germany would reunite and seek revenge on Europe and the USSR for World War II. A disguised Nazi slips into the US zone of divided Germany. The Americans nurse him back to health as he plots how to reunite the Fatherland. His plans are ruined when he runs headlong into the Berlin Wall, erected by the USSR between East and West Berlin in 1961.

Première diffusion : 1 janvier 1971

S2 E11 • TALE OF A TOY (1984)

Based on “Blond Aryan Beast,” a story by L. Lagin. A Child is found in the wilderness of West Germany, living with wolves. He is captured and trained by ex-Nazis.

Première diffusion : 1 janvier 1970

S2 E12 • WE CAN DO IT (1970)

Made to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Soviet victory over the Germans. The film won second prize at the XXII Leipzig Festival of Films for Children. In a German concentration camp Russian prisoners fashion a Don Quixote doll from a bit of metal. It becomes their symbol of hope. The lyrical film is bracketed with references to the Spanish Civil War, which led to decades of authoritarian rule by Generalissimo Franco, and the 1973 coup d’etat in Chile which toppled the socialist, pro-Soviet regime of Salvadore Allende. (“Clear skies” was the codeword which launched Franco’s 1936 coup, supported by the fascist governments of Italy and Germany and opposed by the USSR and France).

Première diffusion : 1 janvier 1984

S2 E13 • We Can Do It

An anti-war film about the ability of individuals to prevent war.

Première diffusion : 1 janvier 1970