Iranian Animation ‘Stripy’ Praised in Hungary

The Iranian animated short film titled “Stripy” was largely lauded by Hungarian studio directors and animators, after being screened in an animation film festival in Kecskemét, Hungary.

According to a Farsi report by the Asr-e Iran news website, the Kecskemét Animation Film Festival (KAFF) is an animated film festival held biennially during the month of June in Hungary.

Stripy was the first Iranian animated film ever to be shortlisted among the large number of Oscar nominees in 2016.

A production of Gonbad Kaboud Studio, the animation has been directed by two Iranian animators Babak Nekooei and Behnoud Nekooei.

It is made based on a classic piece of music titled “Hungarian Dance No. 5” by the German composer and pianist, Johannes Brahms (1833-1897).

Lauding the Iranian animation, Ferenc Mikulás, the KAFF’s director, said making a narrative animation based on a piece of music or soundtrack is a herculean task.

He also praised the Iranians’ intelligent selection of the story for this piece of music.

“The theme and content of ‘Stripy’ is in perfect harmony with its soundtrack. Like this musical piece, the film, itself, has numerous layers and raises a global issue.”

Commenting on the importance of the theme of the Iranian animation, Mikulás said, “Monotony and absence of creativity is our main problem when performing different jobs, particularly the governmental ones and those in the field of education. In my opinion, the theme and content of this animation is very ponderable. We should pay attention to its subtext and deeper layers.”

The creative director of Kedd studio, Géza M. Tóth, also said “Stripy” is an impressive work of art, adding the graphics and visual impact of the animation on audience is very remarkable.

“I have earlier seen this animation and believe that it has high-end graphics.”

He, whose animation titled “Maestro” was nominated for Oscars in 2006, said the Iranian animation is very touching.

The animation’s soundtrack and its visual narration has helped precisely and effectively narrate and visualise a repetitive order.

“Stripy”, along with a number of other animations from Iran, were screened in a special non-competition section in KAFF titled “Iran’s Animation”. This section was held in cooperation with the Centre for Innovation and Technology Cooperation of the Presidency of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iran’s Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology.

With a length of 3 minutes and 35 seconds, the two-dimensional animation has earlier taken part in big international festivals in France, Brazil, Italy, Argentina, the Netherlands and Romania.