Basically:
Jiri Trnka was this bitchin Czech dude who put on puppet shows.
He lived from 1912 to 1969. So long gone now. His name is pronounced "Trinka"
Trnka made stop motion puppet animation shorts. He became quite famous from it too. The most populr short was called The Hand . It's my favorite too. We watched it in my Advanced Placement Euro class this past year. I encourage you to watch The Hand at least. I have to admit. These shorts are no 21st century flick. It takes patience to view them and admire the work that went into them.I myself have worked with stop motion and i can't believe how intricate Trnka's shots are. (i would love to tell you i watched all of The Puppet Films Of Jiri Trnka, but alas i did not. i got bored.) The hand is the story of a puppet who leads a simple life. He wakes up in the morning, looks out the window, and takes care of his beloved plants. Then a hand (literally) comes through his door and starts harassing him. Part way through my Euro class realized the symbolism in The Hand. It was banned by the Czech goverment during WWII. One website called The Hand a " parable about the cruelty of totalitarian government."
The hand pinches and prods at the puppet, causing his pots to brake. He has to repot his plants. The hand makes the puppet use a telephone, a TV, and a newspaper. Reminicent of the WWII propoganda.
Throughout the 18 minute short the puppet escapes the hand but then it returns with a vengeance.
A must watch to any history lovers out there. The actual movie, The Puppet Films of Jiri Trnka include
- The Story of the Bass Cello (1949)
- The Song of the Prairie (1949)
Trnka's view of America's wild west
- The Merry Circus (1951)
This one is cool because it's stop motion of paper cut outs.
- A Drop Too Much (1954)
- The Hand (1965)
- Jiri Trnka: Puppet Animation Master
- The Emperor's Nightingale
His first feature length film
I like Trnka because he gave the world another option other then Disney.
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