Nauczyciel Spiewu | Singing Teacher | Jerzy Flisak

This wonderful short animated film from Russia, directed by Anatoly Petrov in his directorial debut, is about a hippopotamus who goes to a singing teacher. The teacher patiently tries to teach the hippo to sing, but in vain. The hippopotamus swallows the teacher in order to sing himself in a beautiful voice. The poster artist Jerzy Flisak (d. 2008) was well known for his cartoonish and fun style, as well as his light use of color, creative typography, and applied stylistic and historical references. He used various techniques in his posters including painting, photography, and cut-out materials. He specialized in film posters that were satirical in nature. In 1961 Flisak received an award from the Polish Minister of Culture and Art, and in 1985 an award from the Prime Minister of Poland. In 1962 he received an award from the New York Art Directors Club for the film poster, “Blood Feud”. Flisak’s works have been exhibited throughout Europe, United States, Middle East, and Canada.