I'm gradually but surely trying to get more and more into the Russian/Soviet/Ukrainian cartoon scene. While mainly skimming through episodes or parts of another cartoon from the latter Eurasian country, I notice a thumbnail video link copy of this on the side with the other related video thumbnails/links. Naturally, as curious as I was, I decided to check it out and I'm so glad I did, as usual when I make the decision to do so, because it's another winner and a keeper in the favorites. I don't know any Ukrainian well nor do I speak it fluently and the option to bring up the English subtitles isn't available, so I just watched it on mute, but from seeing the actions that take place, I still know enough of what's going on in it. Another great one I haven't heard of and was previously unaware of, it has since become one of my favorite foreign cartoons, both of the '80s, and of all time. I don't know if it ever won any awards locally, but if not, it should have, because this is truly among the best of the best ever made and on my list of picks for that. I've got to say, it's one of the most impressive I've ever seen.
A fun-loving, mischievous boy whose name is translated as Peter is prepared by his parents for daycare, pre-school, or kindergarten where they take him and drop him off, but not before causing some chaos along the way. After arriving there, he continues with his chaotic activities with his classmates before his teacher and caregiver manages to get him to settle down and be still. Oddly, the kids aren't at the daycare/pre-school/kindergarten for until the afternoon and it seems that they don't have a siesta or afternoon nap. Rather, they stay for the night and rather than sleep on the floor, they sleep in beds. Before going to sleep, Peter asks his teacher/caregiver for help with counting and looking at pictures of various animals on a wall, she looks briefly at some elephants and from what I observed and hypothesized, either tells him a story or sings him a lullaby about it. Peter then dreams he's in Africa where he meets some anthropomorphic elephant kids and as he plays with them, he uses them to put his counting skills to the test. When he awakens, he becomes less rowdy and a better student.
The first thing to bring up is the animation. The very frenetic or hectic nature of it and the art style make for a well-done throwback to the 1930s-style, golden era animation that's reminiscent from the likes of the Fleischer brothers and Ub Iwerks, and the influence clearly shows, very fast-paced. The tone between the colors of darkness and lightness is well-balanced, and one side doesn't clash nor interfere with the other. This goes for the backgrounds, layouts, and characters. Peter's dream sequence is a nice nod to the surrealistic cartoons. The characters themselves are just as great, although from the little we viewers would get to see them, the moments with Peter and his parents are entertaining, as well as other moments with his classmates and the teacher. I think I especially like the teacher/caregiver due to how kind, gentle, sweet, nurturing, and patient she is. Just as more people in that position should be. I can't comment on the voice acting nor the music, since I haven't heard them and I'm trying to find an online video copy of this with English subs before I listen to the sound. The story is written just fine.
I'm so fascinated with it and I so believe this had such potential that it was enough of it for what should've been expanded into a series. I would've loved to see more adventures with Peter, but alas, this is only short featuring him. Such a missed opportunity for what more there could've been, because it so deserves it. I wish there was a T.V series., if not a theatrical short series of this. But I read on another site that Russian animated T.V.series aren't as common as in several, other countries, haplessly, so that means the same may be true for the Soviet Union and Ukraine. However, it's a good reminder that great animation is still kept alive and well, and it's miles away from the mindlessness of several, certain, drivel of shows that would emerge later. I'd love to hear an English dub of this and wish that were available, as long as it's done well enough. It also should've gotten an English dub. I say this one-shot is worthy of being given a shot, so please do go for it. I can see why it's such a real classic. Recommended.
