Leningrad Cowboys Go America
Encyclopedia
Leningrad Cowboys Go America is a 1989 road movie
by Finnish film director Aki Kaurismäki
about the adventures of a fictional Russian rock band (the Leningrad Cowboys
, consisting of members from the Finnish rock band the Sleepy Sleepers
, augmented with additional musicians) that travels to the United States
to become famous. The title came from the Marx Brothers
film Go West (1940). After the film was released, the fictional band transformed into a real band, complete with ludicrous hairstyles and typical Finnish humor.
Leningrad Cowboys Go America was followed five years later by a sequel, Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses
(1994) and a concert film Total Balalaika Show
(1994).
The film is set for reissue on DVD in October 2011, by the Criterion Collection's Eclipse series, paired with the other two Leningrad Cowboy films.
hairstyles and long Winklepicker
shoes to match, are seeking success in Siberia, but nobody seems to like their music. Thwarted by a lack of local commercial potential, they are encouraged to move to America, for people will listen to "anything" there. They depart for America, bringing with them a band member who had frozen the previous night while practicing outside. An agent in New York offers them a gig at a wedding in Mexico and recommends that they change their musical style to rock and roll
. They buy a used Cadillac
, strap the coffin carrying their frozen band member onto the roof and set off to earn their way through the Deep South, adapting their musical style to suit local tastes at each new location. All the while they are being driven on and exploited by their money and food hoarding manager Vladimir (Matti Pellonpää
), who has a seemingly unlimited supply of beer in the ice-filled coffin. Unknown to them, they are being pursued by the village idiot, Igor (Kari Väänänen
), who idolizes the band and has followed them from Siberia. During the trip the band spends time in jail, has their car engine stolen, causes a nightclub to close after playing an unsuccessful show, and reunites with a long-lost cousin (Nicky Tesco
). They eventually make it to Mexico
and their wedding gig, where the thawing bass guitarist is revived with a shot of tequila and joins the group on stage. The manager wanders off, but the band finally finds success in Mexico, making the top ten.
has a cameo as a car dealer. The film also includes cameos by blues guitarist Duke Robillard
and American Rockabilly
Hall of Famer, Colonel Robert Morris, with his wife Irene.
magazine's "The 100 Best Films Of World Cinema" in 2010.
It currently hold a 100% 'Fresh' rating on review site Rotten Tomatoes
based on 5 reviews.
Road movie
A road movie is a film genre in which the main character or characters leave home to travel from place to place. They usually leave home to escape their current lives.-History:...
by Finnish film director Aki Kaurismäki
Aki Kaurismäki
-Career:After studying Media Studies at the University of Tampere, Aki Kaurismäki started his career as a co-director in the films of his elder brother Mika Kaurismäki. His debut as an independent director was Crime and Punishment , Dostoyevsky's famous crime story set in modern-day Helsinki...
about the adventures of a fictional Russian rock band (the Leningrad Cowboys
Leningrad Cowboys
The Leningrad Cowboys is a Finnish rock band famous for humorously making rock and roll covers of popular songs, exaggerated pompadour hairstyles, long, pointy shoes, often featuring a Russian military band, the Alexandrov Ensemble.-Beginnings:...
, consisting of members from the Finnish rock band the Sleepy Sleepers
Sleepy Sleepers
Sleepy Sleepers is a Finnish pop/rock/punk band. The band released 19 albums between 1975 and 1989. Sakke Järvenpää and Mato Valtonen were the main members of the band...
, augmented with additional musicians) that travels to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to become famous. The title came from the Marx Brothers
Marx Brothers
The Marx Brothers were an American family comedy act, originally from New York City, that enjoyed success in Vaudeville, Broadway, and motion pictures from the early 1900s to around 1950...
film Go West (1940). After the film was released, the fictional band transformed into a real band, complete with ludicrous hairstyles and typical Finnish humor.
Leningrad Cowboys Go America was followed five years later by a sequel, Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses
Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses
Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses is a 1994 film directed by Aki Kaurismäki. It is a sequel to the popular 1989 film Leningrad Cowboys Go America that introduced the fictional Russian rock band Leningrad Cowboys which, subsequently, became a notable real life rock band in Finland.-Plot:Picking up where...
(1994) and a concert film Total Balalaika Show
Total Balalaika Show
Total Balalaika Show is a 1994 film by director Aki Kaurismäki featuring a concert with the Leningrad Cowboys and the Alexandrov ensemble.The concert took place on 12 June 1993 on Senate Square in Helsinki, Finland...
(1994).
The film is set for reissue on DVD in October 2011, by the Criterion Collection's Eclipse series, paired with the other two Leningrad Cowboy films.
Plot
The Leningrad Cowboys, a band with foot-long quiffQuiff
The quiff is a hairstyle that combines the 1950s pompadour hairstyle, the 50s flattop, and sometimes a mohawk. The etymology of the word is uncertain but may derive from the French word "coiffe" which can mean either a hairstyle or, going further back, the mail knights wore over their heads and...
hairstyles and long Winklepicker
Winklepicker
Winklepickers are a style of shoe or boot worn from the 1950s onward by male and female British rock and roll fans...
shoes to match, are seeking success in Siberia, but nobody seems to like their music. Thwarted by a lack of local commercial potential, they are encouraged to move to America, for people will listen to "anything" there. They depart for America, bringing with them a band member who had frozen the previous night while practicing outside. An agent in New York offers them a gig at a wedding in Mexico and recommends that they change their musical style to rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
. They buy a used Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
, strap the coffin carrying their frozen band member onto the roof and set off to earn their way through the Deep South, adapting their musical style to suit local tastes at each new location. All the while they are being driven on and exploited by their money and food hoarding manager Vladimir (Matti Pellonpää
Matti Pellonpää
Matti Pellonpää was an award-winning Finnish actor and a musician. He rose to international fame with his roles in both Aki Kaurismäki's and Mika Kaurismäki's films; particularly being a regular in Aki's films, appearing in 18 of them.He started his career in 1962 as a radio actor at the Finnish...
), who has a seemingly unlimited supply of beer in the ice-filled coffin. Unknown to them, they are being pursued by the village idiot, Igor (Kari Väänänen
Kari Väänänen
Kari Väänänen is a Finnish actor. Domestically he is a member of the Ryhmäteatteri group of actors. He was introduced to international audiences by Aki Kaurismäki; and belongs to the list of his"trusted" stable of actors....
), who idolizes the band and has followed them from Siberia. During the trip the band spends time in jail, has their car engine stolen, causes a nightclub to close after playing an unsuccessful show, and reunites with a long-lost cousin (Nicky Tesco
The Members
The Members are a British punk band that originated in Camberley, England. Their best known recording is "The Sound of the Suburbs" .-Career:...
). They eventually make it to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and their wedding gig, where the thawing bass guitarist is revived with a shot of tequila and joins the group on stage. The manager wanders off, but the band finally finds success in Mexico, making the top ten.
Cast
America director Jim JarmuschJim Jarmusch
James R. "Jim" Jarmusch is an American independent film director, screenwriter, actor, producer, editor and composer. Jarmusch has been a major proponent of independent cinema, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s.-Early life:...
has a cameo as a car dealer. The film also includes cameos by blues guitarist Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard
Michael John "Duke" Robillard is an American blues musician.After playing in various bands and working for the Guild Guitar Company, he co-founded the band Roomful of Blues with pianist Al Copley in 1967. He has also been a member of The Fabulous Thunderbirds which included Kim Wilson, replacing...
and American Rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
Hall of Famer, Colonel Robert Morris, with his wife Irene.
Reception
The film was ranked #88 in EmpireEmpire (magazine)
Empire is a British film magazine published monthly by Bauer Consumer Media. From the first issue in July 1989, the magazine was edited by Barry McIlheney and published by Emap. Bauer purchased Emap Consumer Media in early 2008...
magazine's "The 100 Best Films Of World Cinema" in 2010.
It currently hold a 100% 'Fresh' rating on review site Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
based on 5 reviews.