Compare And Contrast; Jiri Trnka, The Hand 1965 and Duscan Vukotic and Zagreb, Surogat (Ersatz) 1961.

Surogat, (Ersatz.)

The use of animation is very cartoony, with characters being created from basic shapes. Though the animation may seem dated, many might think was good for its time, however, with Disney having released Sleeping Beauty, and A hundred and one Dalmatians, and The Jungle Book all around the same time, (1959 - 1967) it seems clear greater animation was being produced from a technological perspective. The colours are faded (possibly due to aging,) but this feature dose add a washout out, beached feel perhaps purposefully symbolic of the main characters wasted efforts.

The story evolves around a average, short, slightly overweight male visiting a beach. He blows up various beach items, (ball, tent, inflatable sunbed) and then a woman. He then changes 'his' woman to fit his idealistic view (he inflates her breasts to be bigger.) Usually this cries sexism, (for the ownership and controlling of the woman,) but this woman then rejects the short mans affections, and runs off with the muscular better looking man (at one time bouncing her between his bulging biceps.) This leads to the short mans extreme jealously, killing (or deflating) the woman and causing the man to commit suicide. Almost like a role reverse Romeo and Juliet.

Though the symbolism displays a clear motive of human desire, obsession, jealously and vengeance, the soundtrack offers a very upbeat, somewhat repetitive theme giving all audio and visual style the indication that its aimed at a child audience, despite its darkly hidden context. This mixture seems to fit all ages, as its enjoyable for children, (yet perhaps offering a fiendish view on handling jealously,) but allows an adult audience to analyse the film deeper than children will.


The Hand.

The technological values of this stop motion animation are minimal. Stop motion requires much effort but only a camera and dedication to make it. Therefore, in comparison the Surogat, (made four years previous and a complete animation,) it holds little technological value.

Again using faded colour, this film seems to have deliberately used it  to convey the emotions of the hard working puppet. The story is symbolic that of the over rule of communism in the Czech republic during the 60's, when the film was made. So during its release, it was very much defiant and relevant to its time, with the messages behind it being much more obvious and political than that of Surogat, and arguably more important.

The soundtrack uses harsh loud drum beats and sharp trumpet sounds to give a demanding, attention seeking audio track. This is also symbolic to the view of power and rule of  the politicians. The film also uses silence to effect, for example when the puppet is literally worked to death, there is no sound.

This piece seems very biased, but fit for the purpose it serves. It also has a clear target audience. It is for Czech republic citizens and in great defiance of the communist rule.

Though I would conclude that both these films are very different, and I think it is an unfair comparison as all that can be contrasted is there effect for and of self design, and that against each other. Rather than the films difference in meaning and relevance to each other.