Representations of Science and Innovation in Professor Balthazar and Related Films of the Zagreb School of Animation
Representations of Science and Innovation in Professor Balthazar and Related Films of the Zagreb School of Animation

Summary/Abstract: This article examines how the Croatian animated series and its eponymous protagonist, Professor Balthazar, portray science and the hopes and pitfalls of technological innovation. It suggests that the whimsical world of the popular inventor emerged from the rich opus of the Zagreb school of animation’s previous work, and examines intertextual elements related to science and technology. Created during the ‘golden age’ of the Oscar-winning Zagreb Film studios, the colorful series communicates an image of a scientist that is less stereotypical than characters from the school’s preceding films, and it includes depictions of the fallible, human side of scientific discovery and its applications. It also presents an ambiguous image of innovation, mixing techno-optimism with a critique of unintended consequences of new technology. As such it both parallels and contrasts with other cartoons from the same studio. This article opens up a new avenue for research, as the science and innovation aspects of the school’s work have so far largely been overlooked by scholarly literature.

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