One year ago, the Ottawa International Animation Festival awarded its grand
prize to the new Estonian film, "Night of the Carrots," by Priit Pärn.
Since making his first film, "Is the Earth Round" in 1977, animator,
illustrator, and artist Priit Pärn has evolved into one of the most
influential animation artists in the world. His films are routinely invited
to animation festivals where they have won several major awards. Priit
Pärn's countrymen, Rein Raamat, Rao Heidmats and Mati Kutt, among others,
have also garnered international recognition. It is noteworthy that Estonia
has somehow managed to produce high quality films consistently, considering
the political realities that have encompassed this small nation; first
filmakers were faced with censorship for more than thirty years due to a
Communist regime, and then they were rapidly forced to adapt to a
capitalist marketplace.
To get an insight into Estonian animation, read Heikki Jokinen's article in
our February 1998 issue Animation World Magazine:
"Little Big Estonia: The Nukufilm Studio."
AWN's gallery displays 20 drawings by Priit Pärn in conjunction with the
exhibition of his work presented at the Ottawa 1996 Festival.
The Ottawa 1998 festival hosted a comprehensive retrospective of Estonian
animation. The detailed program for
"Before And After Independence: 40
Years of Estonian Animation," curated by Chris Robinson, is available on
the festival web site.
Two videos of Priit Pärn's work are available in the AWN Store:
- Priit Pärn, Part 1 includes: "And Plays Tricks" (1979), "Some Exercises
in Preparation for An Independent Life" (1981), and two of the masterworks
of animation: the groundbreaking "Breakfast on The Grass" (1988), a savage
critique of Soviet life, and "Hotel E" (made on the eve of Estonian
independence), an indictment of the hypocrisies of both Eastern and Western
systems. Available in US and Canada for $29.95 plus shipping and handling.
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- Priit Pärn, Part 2 features: "Triangle" (1982), "Time Out" (1984), "1895"
(Grand Prix, Zagreb 1996 and Best Design Award, Ottawa 1996) and "The Night
of The Carrots" (Grand Prize, Ottawa 1998). Available in the US and Canada
for $29.95 plus shipping and handling.
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