Lays the central hook of the Cowboys bare- they’re less a “comedy band” and more one that plays their inherent and obvious absurdities with a completely straight face. The Red Army Choir, traditional dancers and outrageously pompadoured Finns rocking out to Skynyrd & Dylan in between Russian folk songs is ridiculous, but by completely committing to being up there in front of 70k fans and being silly, this goes from something that could feel mocking to something completely earnest and at times even kinda touching. They Went America, they Met Moses, and here they finally get the rock spectacle they deserve.

There is something uniquely interesting about a Finnish rock band, backed by a a Russian military choir, singing “Sweet Home Alabama” for thousands of fans in Helsinki. If there is one thing to be said for Total Balalaika Show, it’s that you’ll never see another concert film quite like it.

Aki Kaurismäki completes the Leningrad Cowboys trilogy with this live concert film of the Cowboys performing with the Alexandrov Red Army Choir and Ballet. The contrast of styles couldn’t be more perfect, creating an experience like none other. Musically, the Leningrad Cowboys are much more about their aesthetic and look than their musicianship. Like a Finnish KISS, a live forum is right in their wheelhouse, and their earnest energy and enthusiasm carries the film. Briskly paced, well-directed, and a whole lot of fun, Total Balalaika Show is the perfect capstone on Kaurismäki’s Leningrad Cowboys saga.

Right now, what America needs is a Total Balalaika Show 

Edit: this may sound like a joke, but I’m completely serious. I will not explain any further for the time being.

It was very kind of God Herself to create a Slavophile rockabilly heaven specifically for me

(hey criterion might i suggest that the subtitles on kalinka that say "cranberry, my cranberry" are perhaps unneeded?)

The colossal following of the Leningrad Cowboys is endlessly beguiling, utterly fascinating, and yet somehow delightfully entertaining.

6th Annual Letterboxd Season Challenge Week 27: March 22nd-28th

27/33

This week's challenge is to watch a previously unseen concert movie. Here is a more focused ranked list and here is a larger compendium.

A rockumentary of Leningrad Cowboys and the Alexandrov Red Army Choir and Ballet, as they join forces and sang many English songs together. I love how quirky and the absurdities of this concert. Definitely one of a kind event.

How can anyone be sad watching this movie? Trick question you can't.

Need a strong men's chorus to back me up

I needed to give myself a mental reset. Total Balalaika Show is a shot of pure joy. 

I love this film, I love The Leningrad Cowboys, and I love Ali Kaurismaki. 

There’s an essay out there about this film (here it is i just found it. i coudlnt find it before cause it was published in 1994) that says the film documents a previously unimaginable scenario. And that is spot on to what makes this movie so magical. The film almost acts as a celebration marking the end of the Cold War.

In concept it’s bizarre; the Alexandrov Red Choir performing American hits with a cartoonish looking Finnish cover band. What makes it even more bizarre is the fact that it’s real and 70,000 people came to see it. It’s an ironic spectacle, but unironically good.

I actually saw this show live when I was a child. It created an unrealistic image of how massive and professional Finnish artists and bands concerts are in Finland.

Well until Nightwish got big there were no shows like Total Balalaika happening in Finland.

some good music, even greater hair, a choir and a couple dance solos

6th Annual Letterboxd Season Challenge Week 27: March 22nd-28th

27/33

This week's challenge is to watch a previously unseen concert movie. Here is a more focused ranked list and here is a larger compendium.

A rockumentary of Leningrad Cowboys and the Alexandrov Red Army Choir and Ballet, as they join forces and sang many English songs together. I love how quirky and the absurdities of this concert. Definitely one of a kind event.

A delightful and strange concert film with a combination of the semi-fictional Leningrad Cowboys along with the Red Army Choir performing in Helsinki.

Arguably the greatest concert movie ever.

I needed to give myself a mental reset. Total Balalaika Show is a shot of pure joy. 

I love this film, I love The Leningrad Cowboys, and I love Ali Kaurismaki. 

There’s an essay out there about this film (here it is i just found it. i coudlnt find it before cause it was published in 1994) that says the film documents a previously unimaginable scenario. And that is spot on to what makes this movie so magical. The film almost acts as a celebration marking the end of the Cold War.

In concept it’s bizarre; the Alexandrov Red Choir performing American hits with a cartoonish looking Finnish cover band. What makes it even more bizarre is the fact that it’s real and 70,000 people came to see it. It’s an ironic spectacle, but unironically good.

A recording of a live concert from the no longer fictional band Leningrad Cowboy. Nice music and an entertaining stage show.

מי מתחפש איתי ללנינגראד קאובויז בפורים?

A blast of a concert film that recalls a time when hope for a peaceful and harmonious world seemed like it could actually one day happen.

When I decide to watch an Aki Kaurismäki film I never know what to expect. Is it going to be funny? Is it going to be depressing? Is it just gonna be absurd and confusing? Probably.
For that reason, I always make sure I have no idea what the film is about going in. In this case, I was bewildered that it turned out to be just a music concert in Helsinki, by the Leningrad Cowboys and the Russian Red Army military choir.

It was amusing though. There was a nice mix of Russian and relatively Western music and the atmosphere was delightful.
Absurd and confusing, but okay.

It was very kind of God Herself to create a Slavophile rockabilly heaven specifically for me

(hey criterion might i suggest that the subtitles on kalinka that say "cranberry, my cranberry" are perhaps unneeded?)

Bonkers and wonderful. I think my favourites were "Happy Together" and the Soviet/Russian songs.

I do prefer the Leningrad Cowboys when they have a not-so-competent singer, though.

The tractor guitars and drumset push this into positive territory.