Strangers
- 1973
Anti-Nazi propaganda cartoon for Middle East distribution during World War II. A Nazi snake and toad modelled on Mussolini plot to poison a well. Abu is about to drink from it when a tank flying a British flag shows him it is dangerous. The snake disguises itself and gives Abu another poisioned drink. Abu develops a skull-like face and joins others to fight against the British. Abu's donkey awakens an picture of an arabic fighter on horseback who brings Abu to his senses.
Animation has an almost magical ability to charm and captivate. And those same qualities also make it a strikingly effective communication tool. It grabs attention, speaks to all ages, and can distil complex messages into simple and appealing visual metaphors. For government or other august bodies, cartoon antics have often been the perfect jam to sweeten the pill of official communications, whether to explain sweeping change or impart health and safety messages. And for the inventive animator, even the most utilitarian brief is no barrier to the most outlandish of treatments.