Total Balalaika Show

1994 0h 57m EN

😐

6.2

MID

★6.2TMDB · 30

MusicDocumentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

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."

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

Criterion ChannelSubscription

Cast

Twist-Twist Erkinharju
Self
Ben Granfelt
Self
Sakke Järvenpää
Self
Sakari Kuosmanen
Self
Jore Marjaranta
Self
Ekke Niiva
Self
Jyri Närvänen
Self
Pemo Ojala
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Aki Kaurismäki
Writers: Aki Kaurismäki
Languages: Russian, French, Finnish, English
Countries: Finland

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 57-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

32 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 4 languages: Russian, French, Finnish, English.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "Leningrad Cowboys Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Aki Kaurismäki, shot by Heikki Ortamo. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Tipe Johnson. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Timo Linnasalo shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Twist-Twist Erkinharju and Ben Granfelt and Sakke Järvenpää carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Aki Kaurismäki directs. Heikki Ortamo behind the camera. Tipe Johnson scores. Timo Linnasalo cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in Finland. Dialogue in Russian, French, Finnish, English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 57-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
232 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Dialogue crosses 4 languages: Russian, French, Finnish, English.
4Part of the "Leningrad Cowboys Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
5Directed by Aki Kaurismäki, shot by Heikki Ortamo. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Tipe Johnson. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Timo Linnasalo shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Twist-Twist Erkinharju and Ben Granfelt and Sakke Järvenpää carry the top of the cast.
9IMDB entry: tt0111460 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Only 30 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.