Shortlisted: A Bear Named Wojtek (short)

He served in the same unit as Menachem Begin and mathematician Julian J. Bussgang, even though he was a bear. Like Sgt. Stubby during WWI, Wojtek the bear was a soldier of rank in the so-called Anders’ Army (who were granted amnesty by the Soviets and allowed to return to the battlefield, thanks to British diplomatic pressure). They were often outnumbered and outgunned, but they had a secret weapon, who was furry but fiercely protective. Filmmaker Iain Gardner pays tribute to one of our great veteran fore-bears in the animated short film A Bear Named Wojtek, which has been shortlisted by the Academy. (Voting for nominations has been extended to tomorrow, so members still have time to watch it).

Polish soldiers discovered the orphaned Wojtek in the Iranian mountains, while they were training under the Brits. Initially, their training Sergeant Major opposed the presence of a wild animal on base, until he captured a pair of would-be saboteurs. There was no arguing with results, so he shipped out with the Anders Army to Monte Casino, where he helped carry shells to artillery positions covering the Allied advance.

This all sounds like a tall tale, but apparently, just like Sgt. Stubby’s heroics, there is official documentation to back it up. Regardless, a great story is a great story. Gardner tells it well, employing a painterly style of animation reminiscent of water color and pastel canvases.