Honouring Laika’s story

Moscow, 1957: Sputnik II, the first satellite in history to carry a living being, Laika, is about to be launched into space. This internationally known and relevant story is now further commemorated by Studio Pandora‘s new work, Laika, Brave Dog. It is an intense short film (8′) with 2D and 3D animation technique, directed by Francesco Catarinolo, that makes us reflect on the pairings progress – sacrifice and humanity – bestiality, represented by unbridled ambition and competition in the space race.

A frame from the short film *Laika, Brave Dog*

From the moment Laika, a three-year-old dog, is picked up and locked up, she begins to confuse destiny with dreams, hoping desperately to be chosen for the mission. Space is her dream, but she doesn’t know that it will cost her life… The only comfort among the many gloved hands that hunt her is Dr. Adyla, a strong and sensitive woman who has cared for her since her capture. Adyla works in the military research centre and divides her life between duty to her beloved Russia and the son Dimitri. The most bestial side of mankind is represented by Commander Khrushchev: he has to show the world who he is and what the Soviet Union is capable of.

I think that this story is sadly topical, and I feel the need to share with the audience a reflection on the binomial humanity/bestiality, where the latter is represented in the film by the character of Commander Khruschev, who wants to transcend the role of the Russian hierarch to become a symbol of unbridled ambition and competition. – Francesco Catarinolo, director

Laika, Brave Dog is supported by Film Commission Torino Piemonte and distributed by Wasia. The film was recently in competition at the Animayo – Qualifying Festival Oscar Academy Award -, and has been selected to participate in 64th Zlìn Film Festival.

Read the article in the new issue of The European Animation Journal.