Secondary Research

Project Developing

‘The Street of Crocodiles’ By Brothers Quay (1986)

Stop motion animation

Music by (composer) 

Leszek Jankowski

Tech specs

Runtime: 20 mins Color: black and white color Sound mix: mono

Based on:  The Street of Crocodiles (book) (1933)

                    by Bruno Schulz

‘In that city of cheap human material, no instincts can flourish, no dark and unusual passions can be aroused. 

‘“The Street of Crocodiles” was a concession of our city to modernity and metropolitan corruption.’

‘The misfortune of that area is that nothing ever succeeds there, nothing can ever reach a definite conclusion. Obviously, we were unable to afford anything better than a cardboard imitation, a photo montage cut out from last year’s mouldering newspapers. Obviously, we were unable to afford anything better.’ (The Street of Crocodiles, 1933)

Background

Reflect Jewish life in the early 20th century (1901 – HOLOCAUST 1933/1945 – 2000)

The nature of memory, how it shapes us, and the idealization of youth.

Memory and Childhood

Surrealism and Fantasy

Metaphor

Employs surreal imagery and fantastical elements to explore the inner lives of characters.

Family Dynamics

The complicated relationship between the kid (narrator) and his parents.

Cultural Identity

Reflect Jewish life in the early 20th century and the impact of historical changes in this cultural context.