2009 marks the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the second World War. VIS commemorates this with a commentated programme within the Animation Night.

Close observation of a selection of animated films from this time not only helps dealing with historic events, but also, somehow “along the way”, lets you gain insight into the “essence” or at least into the specific strengths of animated films compared to “real” films. As well as propaganda movies, selected films and film excerpts also give an example of the “civilian” film production of the time, which is so obviously meant as harmless children’s entertainment that the term escapism certainly seems justified.

The propaganda films of German, American and Russian origin are a far cry from children’s entertainment; however, their common traits are interesting: like the animated film’s possibility of completely drawing on fantasy, which makes it ideal for propaganda purposes. The disgusting features of the respective enemy can be “over-drawn”, just as one’s own appeal can also be exaggerated.

In his article on the films by Hans Fischerkoesen, famous film historian William Moritz proves that resistance against the Nazi-regime was also possible within NS-Propaganda. (Resistance And Subversion in Animated Films of The Nazi Era: the Case of Hans Fischerkoesen, Animation Journal, 1992). Here one can observe a specific quality of animations: the metaphoric or encrypted narration-strategy, which is also known from numerous subversive animated films from Eastern Europe.

Another unknown fact is the role played by animated films for functional military films. At least one example from this field should also be included in this programme. Apart from film excerpts, this programme includes these films: