The Cherburashka Films

If you lived in Russia in the 1970's, you probably have seen Cherburashka.

Only when YouTube came around was anyone in the US and most English speaking countries introduced to these two odd characters. One is a crocodile named Gena. The other character which looks like an Australian koala bear is actually a creature called a Cherburashka. As far as I know, there's no such creature. Then again, I've never seen a talking crocodile, so why should it matter? I guess the point of Cherburashka is he's cute and appeals to kids when telling the stories.

There's a definite old world feel to the films which were made in 1971. Gena plays an accordion while singing, and the musical theme is catchy and mellow. According to the description there were only four films made, which is surprising because the production values look great for the time. Roman Kachanov was the director and he made the films for the production company called Soyuzmultfilm. Possibly under communist rule, it would be great to learn more about how they financed the project and under what conditions. As you can see in the picture I posted for the film, the poses of the puppets convey a look unique to certain European films. I guess it might be hard for others to see, but in the tilt of the head - you can sort of understand the additude of the animator setting that shot up. It's great to see. Below you can watch the film which now has English subtitles, so everyone can understand it.

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Comments (6)

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written by Rufus, November 16, 2010

Hey Marc!! its so great that you posted Cherburashka! We cubans saw it a lot on the TV when kids!!
So Cherburashka is a part of our childhood and our heart, i still remember the song of Gena: ¨...tolka rás, gadu....¨

Thanks for sharing, this is one of my favourites!

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written by Mike, November 17, 2010

one of the best animations I've seen, simple characters full of tenderness.
in Japan are currently doing a cartoon series for children about Cheburashka, with the same character design

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written by Marc Hendry, November 17, 2010

oh, this is very similar to the style of stop motion I'd like to do.
Seems great, that bear thing is adorable. But I'd like some english subtitles or something though.

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written by Marc Spess, November 17, 2010

Hey Marc, there are subtitles. Click the CC text on the video on the bottom right side by hovering your mouse over the little arrow. It will slide up and when you click CC - the words will appear.

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written by Jesse O, November 18, 2010

I remember watching this - I love the song at the beginning and end - the melancholy touch to it.

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written by The Cartoonatic, November 29, 2010

Huh, I remember seeing these characters though I've never seen these shorts. I recall seeing them in a Russian claymation version of Little Red Riding Hood (I don't have the proper name of it; it was shown to me called only "Russian Red Riding Hood"). I never understood their appearance in it, though without proper subtitles there was little I understood, so I suppose it must have been by the same company.

They were, as was the nature of the cartoon, quickly eaten.

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