Investigation Held by Kolobki (1986)

"Investigation Held by Kolobki" is a delightfully absurd Soviet animated short film directed by Igor Kovalyov and Aleksandr Tatarsky, released in 1986. Produced by Soyuzmultfilm, this quirky gem—originally a two-part TV special—plunges viewers into a chaotic, surreal city populated by eccentric characters straight out of a fever dream. The story unfolds in a madcap metropolis where two bumbling, bun-shaped detectives—Kolobki—tackle crime with doughy determination. Their beat teems with oddballs: the mustachioed crook Karbofos and his feline accomplice Kot prowl for loot, striped elephants roam free, proud birds strut about, and the local rag, "Krivda" (meaning "Crooked Truth"), spins wild tales. Naturally, in true Russian fairy-tale fashion, the plot kicks off with the most mundane of capers—the theft of an elephant. Because, as everyone knows, what else would set a story in motion? Famed for its anarchic humor, hand-drawn animation bursting with personality, and a jazzy score by Yuri Chernavsky, "Investigation Held by Kolobki" revels in its off-the-wall absurdity. The Kolobki duo—voiced with deadpan glee—navigate a world where logic takes a backseat to slapstick and satire, poking fun at detective tropes and Soviet quirks alike. Released in 1986, this cult classic charmed Soviet audiences, becoming a beloved oddity in Soyuzmultfilm’s catalog. A whimsical whirlwind of nonsense, it’s a testament to the playful, unhinged spirit of ‘80s animation—and proof that even a stolen elephant can spark a riotous adventure.