Leningrad Cowboys Go America

Finland released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. Languages:o Danish (subtitles)o Finnish (subtitles)o Norwegian (subtitles)o Swedish (subtitles)o English (Dolby Digital 2.0) Synopsis:The Leningrad Cowboys, a group of Finnish musicians, and their manager, travel to America seeking fame and fortune. As they cross the country, trying to get to a wedding in Mexico, they are followed by the village idiot, who wishes to join the band.-The odd comedies of Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki may be an acquired taste, but it is one which more and more people are getting. The story concerns the exploits of an extremely inept but dedicated troupe of accordian musicians, "The Leningrad Cowboys," whose sheer awfulness puts SCTV's Schmenge brothers in the shade. In fact, in order to stop having to listen to them, a local record producer advises them to go to America, and paints a glowing picture of the success they will enjoy there. These eight Finnish lads (seven living, one very frozen corpse) are dressed as they think true hipster musicians should be (ducktails, sunglasses, fur coats, pointy-toed shoes), and they head off for New York. There they encounter yet another wise guy, who sends them off to Mexico by car to play at his cousin's wedding (he apparently hates his cousin). Along the way, they get bookings wherever they can, learn American music styles, and get along fabulously (by their reckoning). Product Description

A Biting Satire of American Culture

As with the other reviews of this movie, I agree that this is one fantastic film. The deadpan is so heavy that it is, in itself, the funniest aspect of the movie. However, the film does have a serious side not mentioned in the other reviews. The fantastic irony contained in every moment is that a band that owes so much of its cache to American pop culture can create such a biting satire of American culture. The movie chronicles the most socially and economically devestated locations in this country. Scenes take place in down & out bars, netherworld swamps and oil refineries around Houston. The near colorless monochomatic tint heightens the feeling of desperation. It is not until the end of the movie (SPOILER WARNING: DON'T READ IF YOU LIKE SURPRIZES) & the band leaves "America" for Mexico that color & energy seem to infuse the Cowboys...bringing their frozen buddy back to his creative & productive life. See this movie for the pinacle in wry humor! August 28, 2008

Great Movie!

Charming, truly quirky movie that blows the fake "alternative" junk from Hollywood out of the water.

The music and cinematography are superb, with alternately funny, grim (hey, it's Finnish) and just plain goofy moments aplenty.

Follow the band from the icy, tractor jolting fields of despair, thru America's rock underbelly, and eventually to Mexico. Watch them claw their way to the bottom, saddled with a brilliant (or insane) despot of a manager, and the village idiot stalker always (somehpw) a step behind.

For my money, nothing beats the touching scene where the stalker tries unsuccessfully to get his hair cut into the bands' trademark hairdo, and instead gets a serenade and much needed meal.

This is one movie that has stuck in my head for years after watching it one summer afternoon on a beat up VHS tape... it's well worth seeking out on DVD now, if you can play this region's disks (and many dvd players can if you know how to take command of your DVD player - check the web for instructions folks). June 23, 2008

AMERICAN DREAM

**** 1989. Written and directed by Aki Kaurismäki. Hilarious Finnish comedy about a local band coming to America in search of fame. The gags are mostly visual and, frankly, they're worth your time. Note the performance of director Jim Jarmusch in a small role. Refreshing. November 22, 2007

Do you have rock and roll?

This is perhaps the funniest movie I have ever had the pleasure to watch (the closest rival being, IMHO, *Raising Arizona.*) Back in the very early 1990s, when the Leningrad Cowboys Go America film came thru Houston, TX there were maybe six people in the audience. All were on the floor, laughing helplessly, and not knowing for sure exactly why. I know because I was there. This director's timing is impeccable, the actors are hilariously deadpan and everyone who has been over to watch it has loved it. As most everyone in Europe knows by now, the Cowboys are a real rock and roll band (from Helsinki)--they used to be called The Sleepy Sleepers. One inside joke in the film has the Cowboys playing a hit from their earlier Sleepy Sleepers album---and their bar room audience just stares at them silently. The British actor Nicky Tesco appears as a cousin with a thick Louisiana accent---one of the toughest on the planet to get right. He nails it. Moreover, he sings lead on some of the songs. If you ever travel to Helsinki, stop by a record store and pick up a Leningrad Cowboys soundtrack. It will include a haunting Tesco-penned song, "Through the Wire"---one of the best songs writtin about being in a working rock band.

Not long after the film was released in the states, I happened to be in the only Uruguayan restaurant in Amsterdam. Two tall guys walked in, sat down at a table, and began reading the menu. Neither spoke a word. They were obviously Finns. Taking a chance, I asked them if they had ever seen the Leningrad Cowboys. They smiled and one of them said, "Yeah. We know the dead guy." He was referring to the actor/musician who plays the frozen corpse through most of the film. When my wife expressed surprise that these two guys would know someone in the film, the other guy shrugged: "Finland is a small country." November 11, 2006

Is it just me ...

or do the Leningrad Cowboys remind you of a perpendicular Coneheads crossed with the Blues Brothers? May 13, 2006

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