L’animazione come strumento di propaganda e di critica sociale, con un focus specifico sulla retorica politica dell’animazione sovietica negli anni ’60 e ‘70

Abstract

Several studies have been carried out over the years to indicate how important animation has been for the transmission of specific political messages. However, few texts have focused on Soviet animation movies. To date, the art of animation has often been confined to a minor role in cultural policies. It usually is considered only for entertainment and distracting purposes. In addition, animation movies are often associated with a young target.

What this dissertation aims to do is identify the main characteristics of the 60s and the 70s Soviet animation cinema. In particular, focusing on how the medium of animation was used to convey political messages and if it was only the state power that used animation as a propaganda tool, through censorship, or if it was possible to find examples of dissent and criticism among animators.

This paper, therefore, intends to analyze the role of animation and how it has been declined according to the historical period, and the level of censorship and social resistance. Primary sources will be used, that is the animated short films themselves. The use of a contemporary bibliography dedicated to the role of Soviet animation and the socio-cultural context of the 1960s and 1970s in the USSR will be privileged, to which some articles will be added on some exponents of the period in the animation sector. Part of the final research will be devoted to understanding how animation can be a more effective communication tool. Future research may be aimed at identifying additional factors, such as the potential reaction of the Soviet and international public to the reception of such political messages.