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WWI-Cut Paper Documentaries

'And We Were Young' by Andy Smetanka Combines Beauty with Brutality

— May 28, 2012 — Art & Design
There is an abundance of WWI documentaries that describe the extreme violence and brutality that characterized the first great war, including the new Andy Smetanka piece. The documentary about the Meuse-Argonne campaign, which remains to be the bloodiest battle in American history, does, however, boast an extra element of artistic value.

Made out of thousands of cut-out paper characters, 'We Were Young' will combine real-life narratives from survivors of the battle with paper animations. The project has been funded through Kickstarter and demonstrates the potential for new forms of art to relay history in a captivating and emotionally compelling way.

As described on the projects Kickstarter page, "Smetanka's feature debut demonstrates what fighting men have always noticed: that war, in all its abject ugliness, can have its senseless beauty, too." The silhouettes of the soldiers against a crimson sky are both distressing and moving.
Trend Themes
1. Cut-out Paper Animations - The use of cut-out paper animations in documentaries presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for filmmakers to create visually captivating and emotionally compelling storytelling experiences.
2. Artistic History Narratives - The combination of art and history narratives in documentaries opens up a disruptive innovation opportunity for filmmakers to create unique and engaging ways of relaying historical events to audiences.
3. Crowdfunding for Creative Projects - The success of crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter in funding art projects showcases a disruptive innovation opportunity for artists and creators to secure financial support for their ventures.
Industry Implications
1. Film and Entertainment - The film and entertainment industry can explore the use of cut-out paper animations to create visually stunning documentaries and reshape the storytelling experience for viewers.
2. Art and History Education - The integration of art and history in documentaries provides an innovative opportunity for the education industry to engage students in a captivating and immersive learning experience.
3. Crowdfunding Platforms - The success of Kickstarter in funding creative projects indicates a disruptive innovation opportunity for the crowdfunding industry to continue supporting artists, filmmakers, and other creators.
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