Assa

"Assa" was a film that I was eagerly waiting to see after all the positive reviews. It is an important film as it represents the changes within Russia on the choice of subjects to film. It is a brave film for its time. One of the major characters in the film is an admirer of the music of Nick Cave, at a time when few would have known who he was.

But the film has a major problem. The director introduces a strange fact that Noah of the Bible uttered the word Assa after the floods receded--and there is no such evidence in the scriptures.

The film is just fine to shoot. Conveys the spirit of those years and immerses in the atmosphere of the late 80s. The emphasis was placed on the contact of two different worlds, two different generations. On one side is a criminal authority, a person who is well versed in this world, with a firm hand. And on the other side, a young informal guy who sings on stage, lives in his own world. And in the middle is a beautiful girl, Alika.

The Acca film Festival legalized Russian rock and roll - not so much sound as "all this": men's earrings, communication tubes, lighters dancing in the dark, the maxim "the main thing is to feel sighted" and the whole countercultural show-off, without which rock becomes just highly paid music.

"Assa" would have made a better vehicle for Stallone, but considering the taste of the average Soviet moviegoer........I guess my real objection to movies like this is that they waste the time and talent and money that could be spent making better movies or feeding the poor.

However, the ONLY reason that most Russians saw this movie is Viktor Tsoy, credited in the titles. Actually, it was more of a cameo appearance. Absolute rock legend Tsoy made this film's success, especially after his accidental and mysterious death soon after release.

For fans : his appearance within the film lasts about 30 seconds. However, there is a stunning piece of live concert footage playing in the background during the end credits.

The film IS quite decent, although the plot is rather confusing. Personally, however, I spent the entire movie waiting for Tsoy to appear, as he was credited as if he was in the main cast. In fact, his first appearance is AFTER the dramatic finale... And has little if anything to do with the plot. This may have something to do with the fact that, besides his brilliant music career, he got an actor of the year award for the film 'Igla' (The Needle).

Basically, his casting is a scam --- to get a star into the cast to draw young audiences. He participated to support the lead actor, a close friend.

I can hardly believe that this incredible film, directed by Sergey Solovyov, was produced by the Soviet state film agency MosFilm! Set against the backdrop of the decaying seaside town of Yalta...

This film is truly a cult classic... a countercultural anthem that reflects significant sociopolitical shifts in a country undergoing profound change. Back in 1987, writer-director Sergei Solovyov and co-writer Sergei Livnev's bold and experimental rock-crime film "Chernukha" Assa or ACCA played a pivotal role in bringing the Soviet underground rock scene and the Perestroika film movement into the public eye. It's also notable for being one of the few films featuring the legendary Russian rock artist Viktor Tsoi, and it quickly became a symbol of protest, with its emotional resonance still felt by film and music enthusiasts today.

The film opens with an underground Russian rock concert in Yalta, where we meet the curious and open-minded Bananan (Sergei "Afrika" Bugaev), who plays one of the drummers. The acting is phenomenal - the chemistry between Bananan and Alika (Tatyana Drubich) is palpable. Her "boyfriend" Krymov (Stanislav Govorukhin), an intellectual who secretly leads a criminal organization under the watchful eyes of clueless KGB agents, is oblivious to their growing bond. As Alika and Bananan develop a close friendship that flirts with romance, introducing her to the world of Soviet counterculture, the tension builds!

Enough said... just watch it! No words can do this film a favour... it is above the description.