Escape Into The Fascinating Universe Of 1980s Polish Stop Motion Animation With Chronopolis

Is it a dying art? Taking individual frames of still images and applying tiny movements to give the illusion of animation. It is a cross-over between film and photography. With CGI having reached a level of decency that means producers can recreate pretty much anything they like to near-to-life detail, the time and effort needed to make stop motion pictures is simply commercially unviable. It requires more than profit for motivation when making art outside of the sales funnel.  
 
Set in a science-fiction fantasy city high above the ground, the residents of Chronopolis have reached immortality. Their lives become repetitive and boring, so they start doing strange experiments with time and space. By utilising ever more bizarre and inventive methods, the immortals extend their knowledge further than before. Are they searching for something at the end of the journey?  
 
His first full-length film, director Piotr Kamler received a grant of under $400,000 to make the animation in 1977. Upon completion in 1982, the first cut was over an hour long. It received many accolades, including Best Children’s Film at the Fantafestival1982 plus received a showing at Cannes 82, possibly the biggest film festival in the world. With music scored by the highly sought-after Luc Ferrari, and original narration by Michael Lonsdale, the film had everything the audience wanted for a far-out and thoughtful adventure.  
 
Covered in metaphors and from the perspective of a Soviet Union Poland, the themes of labour, repetition, non-individuality, and uniformity run through the film. The experiments and inventiveness come in the form of new shapes and unusual designs that do not conform to the aesthetic of the background. Perhaps a sign of the mindset within this political and social landscape, willing the people to look beyond the normal to make the world a little more interesting.   
 
Upon re-release in 1988, the film had received an edit from the production company. The new version had the narration removed, highlighting the music and providing a silent dramatic experience. Possibly this made the film more universal and approachable to those of all ages and from all nations. A few extended scenes were also cut, leaving viewers in no doubt as to the flow of the story. YouTube has this version plus a short video of deleted scenes for you to enjoy. Perhaps a version from the Cannes Festival 1982 will resurface one day so we can enjoy the original director’s cut too.  

How about: Stop-Motion Animation: How to Make and Share Creative Videos