After a decade of meticulous work, the animated short The Unwritten Play has finally been completed. Directed by Irina Litmanovich and co-written with writer and journalist Viktor Shenderovich, the 15-minute film offers a rare fusion of theater and animation, featuring a unique artistic approach—a stage circle with flat marionettes.
The story captures a single day in the life of celebrated playwright and poet Alexander Volodin, weaving in metaphors and symbolism characteristic of his works. Audiences witness Volodin, a State Prize laureate, navigating bureaucratic absurdities and personal tragedies—a portrayal that reflects both the spirit of the era and the intimate struggles of the artist.
The idea for the film originated from Shenderovich’s book-album The 22nd Trolleybus and Other Etudes, where one chapter was dedicated to Volodin. Litmanovich, a student of the legendary animator Yuri Norstein, is renowned for blending humor with poetic depth, and here she paints a nuanced portrait of a 20th-century poet: a man without a sensational biography, yet deeply loved and admired for his integrity and talent.
The Unwritten Play has been selected for the Stop-eMotion (SeM) Days festival in Venice, celebrating the art of stop-motion animation. However, the film cannot be screened in Russia due to Shenderovich’s designation as a “foreign agent.”
Beyond its artistic achievement, the film is a powerful act of civic courage, reminding the world of the importance of freedom of expression and the protection of artists’ rights. Despite its restricted access at home, it resonates strongly with audiences worldwide.
For more on the film and its creators, visit Sever.Realii.