The 30-minute 2D animated film chronicles the journey of an orphaned bear adopted by Polish soldiers during WWII; it is a ‘profound story of identity, of belonging, of home’ - coming to BBC ALBA in the U.K. and TVP in Poland next year.
Illuminated Films has released a trailer for A Bear Named Wojtek, a 30-minute 2D animated short that tells the fantastic journey of an orphaned Syrian brown bear who was adopted by Polish soldiers during World War II, becoming a symbol of hope and an emblem of their fate. The film, which premiered at the Rhode Island International Film Festival, is slated for broadcast on BBC ALBA in the U.K. and TVP in Poland in 2024.
The film begins with a platoon of Polish soldiers, exiled in the Persian Desert, trading rations for a small orphaned Syrian bear cub that Piotr names Wojtek – ‘the happy warrior.’ To Piotr, the bear comes to represent his lost homeland, needing protection and care to become strong and independent again. To Wojtek, Piotr and the soldiers become his only family.
Piotr and Wojtek’s journey is explored through the semi-mythical tales of Wojtek’s personality, how he became an enlisted soldier of the Polish Army, and the famous image of Wojtek carrying munitions at the Battle of Monte Cassino; ultimately, he represents the soldier’s hope for independence.
The film ends with Wojtek confined in the Edinburgh Zoo, visited by his Polish friends. While they do not have the freedom they once had, the soldiers salute – brothers until the end.
Director Iain Gardner first became aware of the films’ story when, as an art student, he visited the Edinburgh Zoo to study animal movement and became aware of Wojtek. Gardner became committed to telling his story in “as impactful a way as possible,” describing the story as “a very profound story of identity; of belonging; of home.”
Most importantly, Gardner shared, “In this way, it is not really a story about a bear; it's a story about refugees, about hope, and about love.”
Watch the trailer:
Produced by Iain Harvey, the production was supported by the BFI’s Young Audience Content Fund (no longer active) and created by talents from the Scottish animation industry and Poland. International distribution is being handled by Illuminated Films. Wojciech Lepianka served as writer; the music was composed by Normand Roger. Rachel Bevan Baker served as art director; Ross Hogg served as animation director, and Will Anderson as compositor.
A Bear Named Wojtek was created with 2D, hand-drawn, CG animation and rotoscope.
Source: Illuminated Film
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
