Tango
- Studio
- Se-Ma-For Film Studio, Film Polski
Synopsis
Thirty-six characters from different stages of life interact in one room, moving in loops, observed by a static camera.
Credits
Directing
- Director
- Zbigniew Rybczynski
Producing
- Producer
- Zbigniew Rybczynski
Animation
- Animator
- Zbigniew Rybczynski
Music
- Music
- Janusz Hajdun
Editing
- Editor
- Barbara Sarnocinska
Production notes
Experimental short movie, animated using multiple techniques.
Said director Zbigniew Rybczynski: "I had to draw and paint about 16,000 cell-mattes, and make several hundred thousand exposures on an optical printer. It took a full seven months, 16 hours per day, to make the piece. The miracle is that the negative got through the process with only minor damage, and I made less than one hundred mathematical mistakes."
At the 1983 Oscar ceremony, Polish director Zbigniew Rybczynski had possibly the worst night that any Oscar winner has ever had at the Academy Awards. When his short film, Tango (1981), was announced as the winner of the Best Animated Short category, presenter Kristy McNichol mispronounced Rybczynski's name as "Zbigniewski Sky." When Rybczynski accepted the award, his speech was cut off by the orchestra. After talking to reporters in the press room, Rybczynski stepped outside the auditorium to have a cigarette. When he tried to return, an overzealous security guard refused to let him in. Rybczynski was holding his Oscar, but was dressed in a cheap suit and sneakers because he had been unable to afford better clothes. He tried to explain to the guard that he was an Oscar winner, but his English was limited. Hearing Rybczynski's Polish speech, the security guard assumed the director was drunk and shoved him up against a wall. During the altercation, Rybczynski reportedly yelled, "American Pig! I have Oscar!" and tried to kick the guard in the groin. Rybczynski spent the night in jail before the mess was sorted out.
Said director Zbigniew Rybczynski: "I had to draw and paint about 16,000 cell-mattes, and make several hundred thousand exposures on an optical printer. It took a full seven months, 16 hours per day, to make the piece. The miracle is that the negative got through the process with only minor damage, and I made less than one hundred mathematical mistakes."
At the 1983 Oscar ceremony, Polish director Zbigniew Rybczynski had possibly the worst night that any Oscar winner has ever had at the Academy Awards. When his short film, Tango (1981), was announced as the winner of the Best Animated Short category, presenter Kristy McNichol mispronounced Rybczynski's name as "Zbigniewski Sky." When Rybczynski accepted the award, his speech was cut off by the orchestra. After talking to reporters in the press room, Rybczynski stepped outside the auditorium to have a cigarette. When he tried to return, an overzealous security guard refused to let him in. Rybczynski was holding his Oscar, but was dressed in a cheap suit and sneakers because he had been unable to afford better clothes. He tried to explain to the guard that he was an Oscar winner, but his English was limited. Hearing Rybczynski's Polish speech, the security guard assumed the director was drunk and shoved him up against a wall. During the altercation, Rybczynski reportedly yelled, "American Pig! I have Oscar!" and tried to kick the guard in the groin. Rybczynski spent the night in jail before the mess was sorted out.
Awards
Academy Award Winner, Best Short Film (Animated), 1983.
Grand Prix, Zbigniew Rybczynski, Annecy International Animated Film Festival, 1981.
Prize of the Public, Annecy, 1981.
Bronze Hobby-Horse of Cracow, Zbigniew Rybczynski, Cracow Film Festival, 1981.
Grand Prize, Oberhausen Film Festival, Germany, 1981.
Fipresci Award, Oberhausen Film Festival, Germany, 1981.
Grand Prize, Hueska, Spain, 1981.
Prize of the Public, Hueska, Spain, 1981.
Audience Award, Zbigniew Rybczynski, Ottawa International Animation Festival, 1982.
Jury Recommendation for Experimental Technique, Zbigniew Rybczynski, Ottawa International Animation Festival, 1982.
Best Animation, Tampere, Finland, 1982
Grand Prix, Zbigniew Rybczynski, Annecy International Animated Film Festival, 1981.
Prize of the Public, Annecy, 1981.
Bronze Hobby-Horse of Cracow, Zbigniew Rybczynski, Cracow Film Festival, 1981.
Grand Prize, Oberhausen Film Festival, Germany, 1981.
Fipresci Award, Oberhausen Film Festival, Germany, 1981.
Grand Prize, Hueska, Spain, 1981.
Prize of the Public, Hueska, Spain, 1981.
Audience Award, Zbigniew Rybczynski, Ottawa International Animation Festival, 1982.
Jury Recommendation for Experimental Technique, Zbigniew Rybczynski, Ottawa International Animation Festival, 1982.
Best Animation, Tampere, Finland, 1982