About the Pioneer of Volumetric Animation
For some time film historians had forgotten the pioneer of volumetric (special) animation Vladislovas Starevičius (1882–1965). Now, when cinema uses new technologies, the origins are remembered again, and Starevičius’s name has become very popular. Besides, Russians refer to him as their own ‘Vladislov Alexandrovich’, and French: ‘Ladislas Starewitch’, Polish: ‘Wladyslaw Starewich,’ interpreting the innovator’s national identity accordingly.
The book by Vytautas Mikalauskas, “A Wonder-Worker from
Mikalauskas’s life was dramatic: he tried to be a film director himself (“The Blue Horizon”, 1957), dubbed many Soviet films, popularised his favourite art in various ways (“100 Riddles of Cinema”, 1970; “Cinema in ”, 1999, etc.), but did not survive to see the publication of his book about Starevičius with an inventive cover designed by A. Šakalys.
Differently from other publications by V. Mikalauskas, it is written in a fictionalized manner, in a way, reviving his pedantically collected facts. Since Starevičius’s figure is placed against a colourful background full of educational zest, historical, family, cinematographic events and other famous real characters (A. Khanzhonkov and E. Cohl, P. Chardinin and G. Sadoul, etc.), those who will read “A Wonder-Worker from Kaunas” not as light entertainment, but will seek authentic knowledge, will miss an index at least. To be true, the book contains many unique photographs and stills; the artist’s filmography is much more complete than the on-line database imdb.com pretending to be perfect; there is also a summary in English.
In any case, this is an event that deserves compliments: a manuscript that has been having hard time has now become a full-fledged book, and the Lithuanian Cinematographers Union has been engaged in publication – a job so uncharacteristic to it.
