At the start of the new year, artist Prokopy Ulyashov from the studio Soyuzmultfilm, known to fans as Prokky, presented a playful twist on beloved Soviet cinema by imagining iconic films redrawn in the style of The Simpsons. The collection blends classic silver screen moments with the satirical, bright world of Homer, Bart, and the Springfield crew, offering a fresh lens on familiar scenes while celebrating nostalgia for both animation traditions.
The artist’s approach is rooted in a long-running tradition of Simpsons parodies of famous films. This project adds a distinctly Russian pulse to that tradition. Ulyashov himself notes that the idea was to fill a missing gap in the New Year celebration by reimagining these stories through a familiar, humorous lens that resonates with audiences across generations. The public reaction has been enthusiastic and positive, underscoring how cross-cultural humor can create new dialogues between eras and styles.
Each artwork in the series is accompanied by a concise description that situates the parody within a clear narrative frame. The first piece reimagines the film Ivan Vasilievich Changes His Profession. In this version, Professor Frink inadvertently sends both the grandfather and the thief Serpent back through time, with the young grandfather cast in the role of the Tsar. The juxtaposition of Frink’s gadgets with a tsarist setting creates a playful tension that fans quickly recognize, mirroring the original’s clever incongruities while leaning into the cartoon world’s absurd logic.
The second illustration plays with New Year’s adventures featuring Masha and Vitya. It follows Bart and Lisa on a mission to save the holiday, introducing a cast of fairy-tale figures reimagined as Springfield characters. Bayun the Cat becomes Krusty, Koshchey the Deathless aligns with Mr. Burns, and Leshy appears as Mo. The journey unfolds as a musical romp where music, mischief, and the spirit of the season converge in a vibrant synthesis of both universes.
The third artwork nods to the iconic comedy Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath. In this rendering, Homer indulges in a strong Duff beer while relaxing in a bath and wakes up in a Shelbyville home that bears a strikingly Homer-esque look. The piece captures the moment’s comic reversal by placing a familiar character in a setting that amplifies the humor through visual echoes of the original scene.
Reactions from the viewer community have ranged from unabashed praise to amused astonishment. Comments have included phrases like One Hundred Percent Hit and Another Masterpiece, with several viewers calling the remake a proper celebration of both traditions. The general sentiment emphasizes the series’ success in delivering a familiar, comforting charm while introducing new, comic interpretations that feel both respectful and audacious in equal measure. These responses are echoed by numerous admirers who describe the works as a perfect blend of homage and fresh energy.
Previously, Ulyashov explored a similar concept by imagining how The Simpsons would look if created in the USSR. The current New Year project continues this exploration of cross-cultural parody, bringing together Soviet cinema, classic animation, and contemporary humor in a single, playful package. The broader conversation around these pieces suggests a continued appetite for creative reinterpretations of well-known stories, especially when they bridge distinct eras and stylistic traditions. In industry discussions, figures like showrunners and animation curators have highlighted the potential for such cross-pollination to spark renewed interest in legacy works while inviting new audiences to engage with them in unexpected ways. The creative approach also invites viewers to consider how iconic characters and scenarios might translate across cultural borders without losing their core appeal.
The series has been covered in outlets that specialize in film and animation, with observers noting the strong sense of timing, character likeness, and the way the Simpsons’ visual language reframes familiar scenes. The overall effect is a celebration of both the original properties and the animated universe used to reinterpret them, generating a playful dialogue about adaptation, homage, and era-specific humor. The project demonstrates how beloved silhouettes and archetypes can be reimagined without diluting their essence, while inviting audiences to rediscover familiar moments through a new, humorous lens. It also showcases how contemporary creators can honor classic material by aligning it with modern animation aesthetics and a globally recognizable style, all while keeping a distinctly regional flavor that resonates with Canadian and American audiences alike. As noted by VG Times, the reception highlights a shared appreciation for inventive remakes that honor the past while inviting present-day viewers to enjoy the reimagined scenes.
In sum, Prokopy Ulyashov’s Simpsons-inspired reimaginings offer more than mere nostalgia. They present a conversation about how humor, memory, and cultural icons travel across borders when animated characters meet classic cinema. The series stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of cross-genre experimentation and the power of visual storytelling to unite audiences in playful recognition across time and space. The work invites further discussion about the possibilities of translating well-loved narratives into fresh, culturally resonant formats that can delight fans in Canada, the United States, and beyond.