The Total Balalaika Show (1994)
Directed by Aki Kaurismäki
Genres - Music |
Sub-Genres - Concerts, Sketch Comedy, Vocal Music |
Run Time - 60 min. |
Countries - Finland |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Sandra Brennan
Finland's Leningrad Cowboys meet the ex-Red Army Choir in this inspired Finnish documentary. The Cowboys (a comedy group) claim to be the world's worst rock and roll band. The 100 member Red Army Choir is one of the world's premiere men's choirs. Most of the film chronicles their June 12, 1993 concert together. Over 70,000 people crowded into Helsinki's Senate Square for the event. To their credit the choir remains deadpan and dreadfully serious while the Cowboys cavort and dancing girls appear. Songs include "Volga Boatmen," the Turtle's "Happy Together," "Finlandia," "Let's Work Together," "Delilah" (sung while traditionally garbed Russian women perform a folkdance), "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," and more. For the final song both groups, arms linked, sing "Those Were the Days."
Characteristics
Keywords
choir, comedy-troupe, Finland