home > news > Press Releases
Press Releases

Below is an official Press Release

THE WALT DISNEY FAMILY MUSEUM PRESENTS BRUNO BOZZETTO: ANIMATION, MAESTRO!

Exhibition Celebrates Award-Winning Work by the Leading Italian Animator

 San Francisco, CA, September 10, 2013 – The Walt Disney Family Museum is pleased to present the exhibition Bruno Bozzetto: Animation, Maestro! On view in the museum’s Theater Gallery from November 21, 2013 to April 7, 2014,this exhibition organized by animation historian and critic Federico Fiecconi, spotlights some 60 original pencil animation drawings, cels, and backgrounds from the filmography of the renowned Italian animator, director, producer, and cartoonist Bruno Bozzetto (b. 1938). Most of the featured works come from his most celebrated masterpiece film Allegro non Troppo (1976).

Labeled at the time of its U.S. release “a gorgeous send-up of Fantasia,” the mixed animation and live action feature film visually interprets six pieces of classical music by Debussy, Dvorak, Ravel, Sibelius, Vivaldi, and Stravinsky. In between the animation at the beginning of the film and the black and white live-action sequences at the end there are displays of the fictional animator, orchestra, conductor, and filmmaker, with many humorous scenes about the production of the film.  The classical pieces are set to color animation, ranging from comedy to drama. Each of Allegro non Troppo’s episodes shows a different production style, resulting in a truly artistic, brilliantly animated tour de force. An explicit homage to Disney’s Fantasia, Allegro non Troppo represents a high point in the history of animation. The film garnered worldwide acclaim and was praised by Disney Legend Ward Kimball, who called it one of his “favorite animated films of all time.”

Inspired by classic Disney films including Fantasia (1940) and Bambi (1942), Bozzetto debuted in 1953 at the age of 15 with a Donald Duck-themed short. He quickly developed his own distinctive personal style, becoming one of the most eclectic and innovative independent animators, directors, and producers in the industry. For almost six decades, working both independently and through his company Bruno Bozzetto Film, he has produced and created animation shorts, commercials, TV series, and four full-length feature films including the iconic West & Soda (1965) and VIP, my Brother Superman (1968). His short films have also earned an Academy Award nomination, a Berlin Golden Bear, and more than 150 international awards.            

Bozzetto’s work represents the perfect link between classic Disney style and a contemporary, modern approach to animation focused on storytelling, character development, brilliant design, and humor. “Bruno Bozzetto’s films have been one of the greatest inspirations for me as an animator and storyteller. He has created some of the funniest animated films ever made and is one of the most clever storytellers around. Bruno’s designs are so appealing and his comic timing is truly unsurpassed,” comments John Lasseter, chief creative officer at Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Earlier this year, Bozzetto was awarded the highly respected ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation/International Animated Film Association) prize “for outstanding achievements in the art of animation.” The award included an original artwork by Bozzetto’s beloved inspiration Tyrus Wong, the art director for Bambi and the inspiration for his “less is more” approach to animation. The exhibition is aptly timed with Water to Paper, Paint to Sky: The Art of Tyrus Wong currently on view through February 3, 2014 in the museum’s Special Exhibition Hall.

Bruno Bozzetto: Animation, Maestro! is organized by The Walt Disney Family Museum. The exhibition is designed by the Italian firm Graffiti Media Factory.

# # #

ABOUT THE MUSEUM
The Walt Disney Family Museum presents the fascinating story and achievements of Walt Disney, the man who raised animation to an art, transformed the film industry, tirelessly pursued innovation, and created a global and distinctively American legacy. Opened in October 2009, the 40,000 square foot facility features the newest technology and historic materials and artifacts to bring Disney’s achievements to life, with interactive galleries that include early drawings and animation, movies, music, listening stations, a spectacular model of Disneyland and much more.

Hours:                 
10am to 6pm, Wednesdays through Monday; closed on Tuesdays and the following public holidays: New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Tickets:               
Free for members | General: $20 adults, $15 seniors and students, $12 youth under 17, free for children 5 and under

Where:               
104 Montgomery Street, The Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94129
415-345-6800

Website:            
waltdisney.org
                 
facebook.com/thewaltdisneyfamilymuseum
twitter.com/WDFMuseum