Stilyagi

"Stilyagi" is one of the best Russian movies I have seen in the past 10 years. The director and actors did wonderful job. The movie is both romantic and fun, and at the same time it gives insight about a curious historical phenomenon.

The World War II not only devastated Russia, but also exposed the otherwise isolated country to Western culture through captured movies, vinyl LPs, art, fashion clothes, and other spoils of war. This was particularly valuable for people who wanted to express their difference from others. They started to copy perceived "American" lifestyle, especially the clothes, using films like "Sun Valley Serenade" and the covers of jazz LPs as primary references. Not surprisingly, the result was an outlook more typical for Western show business entertainers than for mainstream design. Although the group believed that their attire was the true definition of style, the rest of Soviet population labeled them "stilyagi" to show their disapproval. In the totalitarian regime "admiration for the West" was a felony, however, after Stalin's death state security was reluctant to take action and stilyagi were facing relatively modest retaliation, mostly from local Komsomol (Communist Party youth wing) activists.

Since the movie is about liberty and has elements of a modern musical, I feel like comparing it with "Across the Universe" (2007). In this comparison, "Stilyagi" is more dynamic and psychological, while actors' voices are just as good. The main duo of Anton Shagin and Oksana Akinshina, who are playing a Komsomol activist Mels in love with a female stilyagi member Polza, are delivering excellent performance, which is especially striking given their young ages. (It is ironic that Mels is an acronym for "Marx, Engels, Lenin, Stalin," and "Polza" in translation from Russian means "use.") A scene of a Komsomol meeting is truly memorable and in my view is a masterpiece. The music is mostly modern Russian pop and alternative rock, with lyrics adapted to the plot. The ending, which makes a connection between liberty ideals of stilyagi and modern youth, sounds like a bold statement in the nation that is still re-thinking its past.

This movie really has 1 thing going for it, which is the unusual cultural element presented. The Russian style and music movement this film is about is extremely eye opening, and the crew did an specular job visualizing it. It follows a typical Russian youth's discovery of and assimilation into a movement to expel the monotonous, monochromatic lifestyles of Soviet Moscow by extremely obsessing with Western fashion and music. Imagine Happy Days interpreted by someone on the other side of the world. The film features some musical elements and some modern songs.

From my older Russian relatives comments, sets and wardrobe were not extremely over the top. Stilagi means something like "stylish obsessed people" - it comes from the word stil' meaning style.

The film was not written for a western audience for the most part, but it could lead to some interesting discussion afterward. For instance, vinyl records were really bootlegged on x-ray sheets and certain musical instruments were extremely illegal!

I thought the actors did a nice job especially the young leads. But they did not sing the songs, nor were the songs from the proper era. The film felt more like a story with musical elements thrown in like Miike's Happiness of the Katakuris - except no zombies, claymation, etc.

However, unless viewing the film with some Russians you probably won't get the full potential presented here. Many of the older actors are extremely famous. The lead female is an actress with some Western recognition. Also some cultural elements like communal living, youth groups, social status, and relevance of characters' names were not explained for Western viewers.

On the negative side, the story itself is at times predictable and other times just absurd. Granted, this is a musical! The writers could have easily set up a straight forward love story set in troubled times, but they chose to extend the third act too far. If the film ended 40 minutes earlier, maybe I would enjoy it more. The plot has multiple loop holes, but addressing them would not help the narrative.

Overall, this can be equated to one of those weird Asian cinema offerings where since you can't get much of the language you ignore the ridiculous story and just focus on the vivid, excellent visuals. It also helps that there are some creative intimate scenes.

HIPSTERS or STILYAGI is simply a sensational new century musical. I want to rave about it because I had such a great time watching it. I sincerely hope it gets a wide release in the West because it manages to be both political and effervescent and spectacular to watch. It is everything I wished a 2009 musical - and from Russia - to be and I was not disappointed. STILYAGI is a pop soda blend of these other musicals: ACROSS THE UNIVERSE with HAIRSPRAY with some CRY BABY and MOULIN ROUGE. It is everything the terrible botched IDLEWILD tried to be. STILYAGI means HIPSTERS in English and this dazzling funny and terrifically engaging 50s style dance musical is running across Australia in the 2009 Russian Film Festival. The casting is ideal and the four main leads....especially the 19 year old teen who plays Mels is wonderful.... he looks a lot like Matthew Modine. One early musical number sung by Mel's dad as he slowly wanders through their community apartment hallways (with his accordion) sets the tone for some sly communist life satire and very funny location jokes... and some hints at the 1955 political climate.

The girl from LILYA FOREVER is the gorgeous taffeta clad tease Polly and someone's future wife. This film is also reminiscent of the 1980s Disney musical SWING KIDS as it deals with the political breakout statement of teens rebelling against a dark authority who deem their music to be counter productive. STILYAGI is a huge and dynamic musical production, superbly designed and filmed with a sensation soundtrack of Russian pop tunes and some written for the film. The premise and outcome is unbelievable given the 1955 setting but it does allow some latitude as a 'what if' scenario. What if kids did rebel in 1955 Russia and adopted Rockabilly outfits and skiffle music? Run to see this film if it comes your way. If you have been wondering where all the Russian musicals are... STILYAGI will answer your question with a swing kids beat. The astonishing finale in the town square is a cast-of -thousands emotional sensation of glorious happiness! Overall the film takes a loving humorous tone to every dilemma...especially the hilarious outcome of someone's very unusual baby. STILYAGI deserves the Oscar in 2010 for best foreign film AND best musical if an award for that exists. You will be as delighted as I am, and I hope you get to see it. What a major cinematic surprise! Yippee! If you are a fan of the 1986 Brit musical ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS or even just admire its setting style and tone, then here is the Russian equivalent. Maybe even very reminiscent of Cliff Richard's 1959 dazzler ESPRESSO BONGO. This new film STILYAGI is the hipster update. Yes, it is as good as all the films above. Combined!

It was quite entertaining until the director decided to convince me that any husband should be happy about his cheating wife )) Especially if she brings home somebody else's baby )) Seriously.

This film was such fun! In addition to being a most entertaining film it was so creatively filmed. The colors are wonderful, the locations believable, the music was hip and the dancing spectacular. The director was present at this Seattle Film Festival screening and took questions from the audience which made it even more interesting. I have never seen a Russian film so to hear the language and see the talented cast, it was amazing. I hope it is distributed widely and soon in the USA. I think it's time we as Americans see something other than ballet and classical music from Russia. I wouldn't be surprised to find young people in the USA emulating the "Hipsters" style of dress, Goth and Punk are so yesterday and I'm so tired of seeing everyone in jeans, t-shirts and sweat shirts!