Khrjanovsky & Schnittke: Butterfly (1972)

Among a wealth of incredible animation from the former USSR, this is one of my favourites. I've come to think of this one as a gentle & cautionary rejoinder to Stan Brakhage's Mothlight. The tone is delicate & heartbreaking; the images are beautifully realised, and in their flat perspective and vibrant colours might have a kinship with Paradjanov - and, indeed, anything under the heavy influence of european folk art.

Andrei Khrjanovsky is still working; hopefully we see his new feature at the MIFF this year. Audio chores on this one are by his regular collaborator, Alfred Schnittke (electronic tonalities, realised on the ANS synth).