Total Balalaika Show

Having seen 2 performances by the Leningrad Cowboys and listened to their cd's I can only conclude that this documentary gives a hint of the excellence of the total. The choir is one of the best in the world and the band is the best in the world(IMHO).

I would have a preferred to see the entire show including the intermissions, that would have given a more complete sence of the overal atmosfere.

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.

I first learned of the Leningrad Cowboys from one of my mom's employees in 2002. He explained that they're a Finnish band that performs covers of famous songs, and played me some of their performances (being the sort of person that I am, I asked what the group's actual name is in Finnish).

Russia's current occupation of Ukraine makes it a bit awkward to watch Aki Kaurismäki's "Total Balalaika Show". Ignoring that, it's a fun documentary. The subject is a concert thirty years ago this month, where the Leningrad Cowboys performed with the Aleksandrov Ensemble in Helsinki, singing western pop songs and traditional Russian songs. It's a sight like you can't imagine.

We obviously hope that Russia's occupation of Ukraine eventually ends, and that peaceful relations with Russia can get restored. In the meantime, this is one fun documentary. The Criterion Collection's release includes some of the Leningrad Cowboys' music videos. Wacky stuff.

PS: Aki Kaurismäki and his brother Mika are friends with Jim Jarmusch. The cast of Jarmusch's Helsinki segment of "Night on Earth" are frequent cast members in the Kaurismäkis' movies.

Featuring a concert by the Leningrad Cowboys and the Alexandrov Ensemble, took place on 12 June 1993 at Senate Square in Helsinki, Finland. This event drew a crowd of approximately 70,000 people from two nations - Finland and Russia - that had been engaged in a state of "peaceful coexistence" during the Cold War, should recognize the reason why held so amicably.

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.