American Animated Films in Service of the War Effort
Abstract
The aim of the article is to show the role played by American animated film after the attack on Pearl Harbour. The author describes how an art form, which was created according to the formulae of popular entertainment cinema, was transformed into a method aimed at producing patriotic spirit, transmission of information for society at large and instructions for the army. In the course of the analysis the elements of animated films that are part of the propaganda message are given special attention. The author emphasises the role of animated characters, national symbolism, and the way the enemy is portrayed. He also points to the way in which, depending on the situation on the frontline, the message is adapted. The author also reconstructs the working atmosphere in the American animation industry and the elements of propaganda not based on film. Description and analysis of these changes are accompanied by an attempt to determine nation-making and ideological role of animated film in the early period of USA participation in World War 2.
Keywords:
animation, ideology, propaganda, World War 2, national identityReferences
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Authors
Michał Mrózkwartalnik.filmowy@ispan.pl
University of Warsaw Poland
Reżyser, scenarzysta, grafik oraz historyk i popularyzator filmu animowanego; absolwent Warszawskiej Szkoły Reklamy oraz Międzywydziałowych Indywidualnych Studiów Humanistycznych i Społecznych na Uniwersytecie Warszawskim; doktorant w Instytucie Kultury Polskiej UW. Autor filmów animowanych, za które zdobył ponad pięćdziesiąt nagród na festiwalach w Polsce i za granicą. Swoje prace prezentował m.in. w Los Angeles, Toronto, Malmö, Belgradzie, Sofii, Wrocławiu, Gdyni. Wykładowca Warszawskiej Szkoły Reklamy, instruktor filmu animowanego. Stypendysta m.st. Warszawy oraz Instytutu Adama Mickiewicza.
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