Total Balalaika Show is a 1994 film by director Aki Kaurismäki, featuring a concert by the Leningrad Cowboys and the Alexandrov Ensemble.
The concert took place on 12 June 1993 on Senate Square in Helsinki, Finland. The event drew a crowd of approximately 70,000 people.
The concert featured an eclectic mix of Western rock and Russian folk music, and folk dancers performing to rock songs.
Songs The "rockumentary" features 13 songs from the concert:
Finlandia Let's Work Together The Volga Boatmen's Song Happy Together Delilah Knockin' on Heaven's Door Oh, Field Kalinka Gimme All Your Lovin' Jewelry Box Sweet Home Alabama Dark Eyes Those Were The Days
DVD release The film is available on three DVD releases. The first, released by Sandrew Metronome in 2004, is for DVD Region 2. The second, released by Facets, is for all regions. The third is by The Criterion Collection in an Eclipse box set with the two original films.
Soundtrack album
Total Balalaika Show – Helsinki Concert is a 1993 live concert album by the Leningrad Cowboys and the Alexandrov Ensemble. It was recorded at Senate Square, Helsinki on 12 June 1993. This concert was also documented on film by Aki Kaurismäki.
Track listing The album of the concert featured more songs than in the film:
The Japanese release was only one disc and had a different cover.
References
External links Balalaika music records SKAZ
Criterion Collection Essay Total Balalaika Show on Yle Areena