Zolushka

'Cinderella' was one of my all time favourite stories as a little girl and growing up, my personal favourite of all the many timeless fairy tales. It still is a favourite and there are many wonderful versions of the story, animated and live action. Also have loved Soviet/Russian animation ever since seeing 1957's 'The Snow Queen' for the first time and have said more than once about loving most of the output of Soyuzmultfilm for pretty much that long as well.

Soyuzmultfilm's version of 'Cinderella', the tale being called 'Zolushka' in Russia, is the very meaning of first rate. It has all the charm and magic of the original story and is faithful to it (the Perrault version, not the equally magical but darker and at times gruesome Grimm Brothers one) while having enough of its own touches to set it apart. It is among Soyuzmultfilm's best late 70s output. The 1947 live action version of 'Zolushka' is also a must.

'Zolushka' is gorgeously crafted visually for a start. Loved the very traditional and simple but never simplistic character designs that gels beautifully among the backgrounds, which were full of vibrancy and atmosphere and very tapestry-like. The Fairy Godmother-like character and the transformation especially enchant, and some of the most beautiful-looking sights of any recently seen Soyuzmultfilm film.

The music is like its own subtle character, with some nice energy but at other times a melancholy and sumptuousness. The writing is sensitive and has a nice flow to it, nothing stilted or incoherent and a great job is done making the story accessible. As said, the story adapting is faithful and captures the spirit of the original story seamlessly. While with enough of its own touches that are equally charming and enchanting.

Did think too that Zolushka herself was very likeable and rootable and the step-family were both amusing and suitably hateable.

In conclusion, wonderful. 10/10.

On my recent tape of Russian animation, I came across a nicely made Animated short called "Zolushka".

Zolushka is based off of a Russian faery tale not unlike Cinderella. The only differences is that Zolushka is an orphaned peasant and the people she serves are a snobbish Czarina and her two spoiled rotten daughters. Poor Zolushka, things seem hopeless until she comes across the ghost of her mother that came to life from an old portrait that Zolushka kept with her in her working quarters. And like the Grimm bros. and the Roger and Hammerstein Cinderella stories, the ghost turns a pumpkin into a chariot, rodents into horses and salamanders into horsemen leading the chariot. She is given Diamond slippers instead of glass (makes a lot more sense too!). And if you read the tale (I know most have), you will know the rest of the story and smile at the end.

Nice plot faithful to the original "Russian Cinderella-esque" story and lovely animation, especially the scenes of the motherly ghost that helps Zolushka and the festival scenes.

Hopefully, you will eventually come across it if you are into Russian or Eastern European animation and animated short collections.