Total Balalaika Show (1994)

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

A lot of fun.

The first must-see film of the year.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Well, this certainly isn't your run of the mill rock'n'roll concert. On June 12, 1993 the Leningrad Cowboys joined forces with the Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble to perform a live concert in Helsinki's Senate Square in front of an audience of 70,000 people. The sheer incongruity and improbability of this event gives the whole thing a marvelously surreal aura: The Leningrad Cowboys sport their trademark ridiculous unicorn horn hairstyles and pointy shoes while the Red Army choir are dressed to the dignified nines in their military uniforms and really pour their hearts and souls into their singing. But somehow these two radically contrasting groups mesh perfectly into a fantastic whole, with spot-on stirring performances of such songs as the majestic "Volga Boatman," the joyous "Happy Together," the stately "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," the lovely "Kalinka," and an especially spirited rendition of "Sweet Home Alabama." Best of all, this concert stands tall as a glorious testament on how the power of music crosses all cultural boundaries and brings people together. A total treat.

A 57 minute documentary of a Helsinki concert featuring the Leningrad Cowboys and the Alexandrov Red Army Choir and Ballet, who collaborate on a number of US Rock songs sung in English (like "Sweet Home, Alabama") as well as more traditional Russian songs like the "Volga Boatman".After a successful movie or two, the Leningrad Cowboys had to become a real musical sensation. And why not? They sound good, they look good, and the time was right for a blend of Russian and American culture, even if it was done by a bunch of Finnish guys.What we get is a nice mix of classic American rock (1960s and 70s tunes) and Russian standards that probably will not be familiar to most Americans. All the more reason to check it out, because they do a superb job presenting both.

Entertaining, surreal, hilarious, catchy, spectacular and just a lotta fun. Imagine meeting Lynyrd Skynyrd 30 years ago and telling them that one day "Sweet Home Alabama" would be performed by 10 guys with giant pointy shoes and giant pointy pompadours, backed by the Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble, in front of 70,000 screaming Finlandians.It's very sweet to witness this display of unity between neighboring countries with a history of animosity. Opening with the Red Army Ensemble singing "Finlandia" and then going into "Let's Work Together" and "Happy Together" and a wonderful mix of Russian standards (I'm assuming) and western rock n' roll, it's really a joyous blend of two cultures. You can't help but smile. Although it's an oddball among Kaurismaki's deadpan narratives, it's one of his finest creations and one of the greatest concert films. The world needs more stuff like this. I'd love to visit Finland, they seem like they have a great sense of humor over there.A fun, charming music & dance performance.

This 1993 concert is absolutely awesome. The Leningrad Cowboys gave the Finnish people a lot for their money. Backed by the Alexandrov Red Army Choir, they set Helsinki on fire on that night in June.Covers of The Turtles, Bob Dylan, Tom Jones, and ZZ Top are just a small aspect of this "rockumentary". (Their version of "Those Were The Days" has to be seen to be believed)Bravo to Kaurismaki, a world-class director who achieved something really special with this concert film. It's hard to find these days, but if you can track it down, you will be in for a serious treat.