12-18-2020, 08:48 AM
Seen on Kanopy.
An impressive film set in the Leningrad underground rock scene of the early 1980s, capturing the camaraderie among bands and their fans as they party and perform, and otherwise rebel, in gritty venues, all while dodging government censors. At the center of it all is an odd love triangle that unfolds when a rocker newbie (a DM lookalike, meaning he's Asian with long black hair) joins the scene.
The film gives nods to many Western bands by performing their songs or mentioning them in conversation. Bowie, Iggy Pop, David Byrne... Lou Reed is mentioned several times and almost becomes a running joke (MINOR SPOILER ALERT: "What do you think of Lou Reed?" "Lou Reed? He's arrogant." Thoughtful pause. "But his lyrics are always good.")
The director was put under house arrest in Moscow near the end of filming, but managed to wrap things up and finish post-production using a computer without internet access.
It was in competition for the Palme d'Or and won the Cannes Soundtrack Award.
In the end credits: "This film is dedicated to those we love."
A surprisingly upbeat, if bittersweet, film.
An impressive film set in the Leningrad underground rock scene of the early 1980s, capturing the camaraderie among bands and their fans as they party and perform, and otherwise rebel, in gritty venues, all while dodging government censors. At the center of it all is an odd love triangle that unfolds when a rocker newbie (a DM lookalike, meaning he's Asian with long black hair) joins the scene.
The film gives nods to many Western bands by performing their songs or mentioning them in conversation. Bowie, Iggy Pop, David Byrne... Lou Reed is mentioned several times and almost becomes a running joke (MINOR SPOILER ALERT: "What do you think of Lou Reed?" "Lou Reed? He's arrogant." Thoughtful pause. "But his lyrics are always good.")
The director was put under house arrest in Moscow near the end of filming, but managed to wrap things up and finish post-production using a computer without internet access.
It was in competition for the Palme d'Or and won the Cannes Soundtrack Award.
In the end credits: "This film is dedicated to those we love."
A surprisingly upbeat, if bittersweet, film.
I'm nobody's pony.
