Russian animation has a very glorious past. Drawn cinema, which originated in our country on the verge of the 19th and 20th centuries, the founder of which is considered Vladislav Starevich, successfully continued to develop under the Soviet regime. Achievements, originality and a high level of Soviet animation are capable of wailing only an ardent Russophobe.
Favorite Soviet cartoons
Having taken the first steps in the “WINDOWS OF GROWTH”, the drawn cinema becomes children's, the distinguishing feature of which, in addition to high quality, has always been not “soviet” ideology, but universal human concepts of high morality. During these years, any resident of our country to the question: "What was the name of the largest cartoon studio?" answered without hesitation: "Soyuzmultfilm". Because sincere love for the products of this concern was one of the distinguishing features of Soviet man.
The competing side and its fans
From a certain moment, American animated films became available to us ... At first, I liked everything - both quantity and brilliance. And films about princesses are generally incredibly good, especially against the background of a complete lack of domestic products at that time. And now, statements about the fact that Russian animation has either not yet been born, or was born and died right away, or is about to die, sound very strange. Is it possible to consider the death cramps of “Smesharikov”, popular in 60 countries of the world? And the series about Luntik, Fixiks, Barboskins, Masha and the Bear ?! Is it possible, because of these declarations, not to consider them domestic animation? Let “Disney” remain an “eternal classic”, who would argue, but nothing can compare with the series about theater and figure skating from the “Smeshariki” cycle!
Glory is reborn
Absolutely everyone knows the heroes of Russian animation, and most people have no questions about whether there are domestic hand-drawn films or what the largest cartoon studio was called. Although a controversial moment is present - in many articles the Studio "Mill" is positioned as the largest of the domestic. St. Petersburg, the homeland of the Smesharikov, also claims the same title. In any case, the animation capital of Russia at this time is St. Petersburg. In addition to these major concerns, there are smaller manufacturers - “Yes!”, “Cardboard Tower”, “Sketch” and others. But most of the animated cartoons are broadcast only on TV, while the animated films of the Mill studio come out on large screens. Her fame was brought by the so-called heroic cycle, stories about Russian knights, taken from epics and retold to the viewer in modern language. Why are there retolds! They are even “imprisoned” for modern reality!
Which of the children of the CIS and their parents do not know wonderful cartoons about Alyosha Popovich, Ilya Muromets or Ivan Tsarevich? Popularity is added to them by a wonderful scoring, in which the leading actors of Russia take part. Prince Vladimir, speaking in the voice of Makovetsky, is no worse than the Donkey voiced by
Eddie Murphy. And the song from the sequel, or, speaking the Russian language, the continuation or the second part of the “Gray Wolf” performed by the soloist of “A-Studio” became very popular and increased the number of views of the series. Given all these factors, it can be argued that the question: “What was the name of the largest Russian cartoon studio?” few will shrug.
History of the studio
The "Mill" appeared in 1999 with the goal of fulfilling an NTV order (creating a 4-episode cartoon about adventures in the Emerald City). 50% of the new project belonged to STB, and its rental company, Our Cinema, was committed to promoting the products of this studio on the market. Without looking far ahead, they chose the name “Mill” because they were located on Melnichnaya Street. There was no permanent staff yet, and the studio released its second film about Dwarf-Nose at its own peril and risk.
The cartoon did not fail, despite difficult times, and the film about Alyosha Popovich, already released in 2004, almost completely paid off. The forward movement has become progressive and more inspiring. The series about Dobryn Nikitich brought little profit, but Ilya Muromets, as befits a glorious Russian hero of this rank, instead of $ 3.5 million spent on his release, brought the creators 10 million in the same currency. Further more. And now the largest cartoon studio receives evening production for cinema in the cinemas of the country. This happens because films are becoming popular not only among children and parents: they are very fond of young people.
New Horizons
In 2011, a department was created to create films in 3D format. Increased costs are paid back by parallel projects. Cartoons about wooden soldiers and star dogs became popular. But two films about the adventures of Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf became a real triumph.
They literally squander into quotes. And in monetary terms, it looks like this: manufacturers made a profit of $ 4.5 million. The film has become a rental leader. After that, the Mill built a new building for itself, which meets all modern parameters. Now it is a powerful independent unit of domestic cinema, capable of attracting the most talented people of the country for the production of their products. Who knows, maybe sometime in response to a question about what was the name of the largest cartoon studio, this brand will be called. Indeed, most modern children prefer these cartoons, and not the same "Well, wait a minute!" or "Winnie the Pooh."
However, the Soyuzmultfilm studio, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2011, is also being reborn from the ashes, and even a new emblem is being invented. Let's hope that very little time will pass and the “golden age” of Russian animation will come.