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"About Sidorov Vova" is a Soviet animated short by Eduard Nazarov, released c. 1985 and adapted after the eponymous verse by Eduard Uspensky. In some strange way it works both as a propaganda piece about the Red Army that straightens up any young fellow and makes a man out of him, and at the same time shows how The Army is just as prone to Soviet bureaucracy and ineffectuality as many other departments of state.

Can be watched on YouTube with English subtitles.


"About Sidorov Vova" provides examples of:

  • Badass Army: The short brags that the Reds with Rockets can turn even the laziest youth into someone that can stand guard at all times and shoot any target.
  • Bungled Suicide: Upon seeing Vova's performance the colonel attempts to shoot himself. He fails.
  • Momma's Boy: Sidorov sticks to his mother 24/7 because he can't do anything without her.
  • "Ray of Hope" Ending: One for Sidorov Vova entirely as his family is finally forced to leave the training grounds with him still having much to learn. However, the soldiers in the end boast that the army can turn the even lowliest brat into a man, and the cartoon ends with Vova joining the rest of the company on the march, with the Colonel smiling hopefully.
  • Retired Badass: Sidorov's grandfather appears to be a war veteran given his cap and images of him charging on a horse with a sword in hand. Perhaps a veteran of Red October or World War II given his age.
  • Shoot the Messenger: The marshall's, the Soviet's highest military rank, secretary got afraid he will suffer this fate and didn't dare to report about Vova's family coming to serve to Army with him.
  • Spoiled Brat: Sidorov Vova is shown bossing around his family as even a toddler once he understands how much they'll bend over for him.
  • Take That!: Criticisms of Soviet inefficiency aside, there is clear spite for western culture turning Soviet youth into lazy bums, given that Sidorov has an interest in rock music and jeans as a teen.
  • That Russian Squat Dance: The last segment of the short humorously exaggerates the amazing prowess of soviet army and navy. For instance, one of the sailors is dancing "kazachok" during the heavy storm. While upside down.

 
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A Ladle For The Colonel

The Colonel disapproves of recruit Vova schlepping his whole extended family around during the Red Army training exercises.

How well does it match the trope?

5 (2 votes)

Example of:

Main / SpitefulSpit

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