Leningrad Cowboys Go America

An enthusiastic Siberian rock ‘n’ roll band, The Leningrad Cowboys, journeys to New York with their manager (Matti Pellonpää) and a dead member who froze to death before his dreams of success could be realized. They land a gig in Mexico, and the band, including the dead member strapped to the top of their Cadillac, drives there through the country that birthed rock music, meeting various characters along the road to success. Meanwhile, a crazed fan (Kari Väänänen) from home chases them down.

The odd comedies of Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki 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).

Lisatud 06.04.2021, 1 017 768 830b

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