The renaissance of interest in Wladyslaw Starewicz, one of the pioneers of animation, continues apace with the re-release of his films in French cinemas.

Les Fables de Starewitch, a series of five short films based on the tales of Jean de la Fontaine, opened yesterday in France to rave reviews.

Wladyslaw Starewicz was born in 1882, during the period of Poland's partitions. His family had taken part in the doomed Uprising against Russia of January1863.

Whilst working as director of the Natural History Museum in Kowno (Kaunas), Starewicz began making stop-motion animation films. His talents garnered such interest that before long the works were shown at court. Starewicz was awarded with a medal by the Tsar Nicholas II for The Grasshopper and the Ant (1911).

Owing to the revolution, Starewicz emigrated to Paris, where he remained for the rest of his life, working in seclusion with his family to great success.

The renaissance of interest in the animator was aided by the 2008 documentary The Bug Trainer, in which leading disciples such as the Quay Brothers paid tribute to the forgotten genius.

Writing in Le Figaro this week, Emmanuele Frois wrote that “times pass, but Starewicz remains a star.” (nh)