Stilyagi (Crnnrrn) Review - ESCAPE from HOLLYWOOD I the international cinema addict's definitive resource 814ILL 4:T2 PM

Stilyagi (Crnilntlt) ReviewPublished May 151h,2009 in Europe & Russia and Reviews. 4 Comments

Musical comedy is hardly a genre most people would associatewith modern Russian cinema. Traditionally known andrespected for such somber and inquisitive works as NikitaMikhalkov's Burnt by the Sun (1994), Andrei Zvyagintsev's TheReturn (2001), and Aleksei Balabanov's Cargo 200 (2OO7),

post-Soviet Russian directors had generally focused on negativeaspects of the Russian experience until the early 2000s, whenwaves of cash flowing from the country's oil and gas-fueledeconomic boom finally reached the film industry, resulting inthe production of commercially-oriented blockbusters such as

Night Watch (2OO4) and The 9th Company (2OO5).

Continuing this trend and taking it in a new direction is ValeriyTodorovskiy's new frlm Stilyagi (Hipsters). Featuring an all-starcast, dynamic script and slick cinematography, Stilyagi takes theviewer on an epic joy ride through 1955 Moscow, two yearsafter Stalin's death. At the height of the Cold War in the SovietUnion, the titular stilyagi were a bunch of Western-orientedhipsters who loved jazz, exhibited questionable morals andenjoyed dressing with style. Mels (Anton Shagin), a seeminglybrainwashed member of the Communist youth group Komsomol,

falls in love with Polza (Oksana Akinshina) while raiding an illegal underground nightclub . Polza invitesMels to join her and her friends on the "Broadway" and Mels is dumbfounded when he shows up to theparty dressed plainly and looking apologetic. Striving to win Polza's attention, Mels utimately abandonsKomsomol and joins the stilyagl, chasing after Polza comically throughout the rest of the film as helearns to play the saxophone, dance jazz,and dress like a movie star.

http: / / escapefrom hollywood.com/stilyag i-review/ Page 1 of 4

Stilyagi (Crrnrrr) Review - ESCAPE from HOLLYWOOD I the international cinema addict's definitive resource

The high production values combine brilliantly with hilariously written song lyrics and a beautifullycomposed soundtrack to produce a musical comedy of exceptional quality. Every scene, every detail -from the film's color composition to Mels' name (which we eventually learn stands for Marx EngelsIrnin Stalin, the four "fathers" of Communism) - has been thought out and serves a unique purpose.Unlike most musicals, Stilyagi never bores the viewer with superflous dance numbers or pointless artscenes as its musical elements are so finely interweaved with ih" rtory and the lyrics so funny andintellectually stimulating, one would seriously need to have taken tranquilizers to fall asleep.

Another upside is the contentious issue of the film's historical relevance and its representation ofmainstream Soviet society as a mass of grey, same-looking, pathalogically repressed people who are - asthe lyrics put it - "chained with one chain, joined by a single goal [Communism]" (" skovanie odnojtsepyu, sviazanie odnoj tselyu"). Stilyagi makes an important point by painting outcasts as thoseelements in society that have not lost their sanity amid the insanity so prevelent in the mainstream andreinforces this idea in the film's final scene where Mels and Polzaare running with modern punksthrough the streets of present day Moscow. Another observation to make here is how incredibty pro-American this film is.In Stilyagi, the United States and its cultural products are presented as olfering amuch-needed escape from the Soviet Union's monotone world of the jtobi ("hiclis"). Ironically, thestilyagi's superficial perception of Western culture always remains distinctly Russian, and thgfilmillustrates this in the scene where Fred shares his impressions of America with Mels.

8l4llL 4:12 PM

http: / /escapefrom hollywood.com /stilyag i-review/ Page 2 of 4

Stilyagi (Crr,|nrru) Review - ESCAPE from HOLLYWOOD I the international cinema addict's definitive resource 8l4lLL 4:L2 PM

Stilyagi stands out as a meticulously crafted musical comedy that sets a new benchmark for Russianproductions in its genre. Its original storyline and refreshing energy are complemented by gorgeouscinematography and an amazing soundtrack. The lightheartedness of the film is endearing and makes ithighly accesible to an international audience. Those looking for a feel-good movie will not bedisappointed, while those craving social commentary or a more intellectual experience will surely find itby paying attention to minute details and looking beyond the gloss. All in all, a joy ride recommendedwithout reservation to anyone in the mood for something funny and different.

Stilyagi '- ar

Director: Valeriy TodorovskiyStarring: Anton Shagin (Mels), Oksana Akinshina (Polza)Genre: Drama I Music I RomanceRuntime: 130 mins I Country: Russia I Language: Russian

You may also like:r Russian film star Oleg Yankovsky dies at 65o Timur Bekmambetov working on new film Black Lightningo Domovoy (flor"ronoli) Reviewr Timur Bekmambetov's Black Lightning gets slick new trailers, set for December 31 releaseo Victor Pelevin adaptation Generation P pushed back to October 2010r Rusalka (Pycama) Reviewr Black Lightning (rl€pnax Mormrx) Reviewo Soul Kitchen Review

Recommend 9 people recommend this.

http:l /escapefrom hollywood.com /stilyagi-review/ Page 3 of 4

Hipsters (Stiljagi) | Review I Screen

$CRHEI|INAILY

Hipsters (stiljagi)7 July,2009 f By Dan Fainaru

5 I L7 | 11. 2:48 PM

Dir: Valery Todorovsky. Russia 125 min

An energetic_, impressive production alrgady garlanded with four Nikas (the Russian Oscar) for best film,production design, costumes and sound, Val'ery Todorovsky's attempt td revive the immed-iiate post-SlPlinist er?_may appeal initially to Russian audiences, buf should ebsif navigate international'marketsafter an enthusiastic reception at Karlovy Vary.

A poftrait of a grim period, Hipsters is almost a Russian version of Grease - as fanciful and unrealistic as its Americancou.nterpat, but with qore qf a.political subtext to sustain it. Ifs set way back in 1955, when, in an aftempt to establishtheir independence pglipt the. backdrop of gryy uniformity surrounding them, young Russian rebels fhips'tersJ copiedAmerican.fasflbns, hajrdos aM slang. Featuring a cast of young energbtic hopefuls End several seasdneb veter6ns'intsm.eg roles (Sergey Garmash, Oleg.Yankovsky),-critics might carp that Hipstdrsoffers perhaps an overly gentle andforgiving imageof thattime, hiding behind colorful setsand costumes which borderon'caricature. But jeieral audiencesare likely to be much rnore forgiving.

Hipsters centres around a shy. ne_rdy Communist youth (komsomolchrk) called Mels, played by Anton Shagin, who fallsfor luscious blonde hipster Polya (Akinshina) and turns his back on his pretty but strict brigade command6r lirlfriend(Brik)".He_takes up the tenor saxophone instead, raises some hell of his otrrn and ends up-marrying his bbnlebombshell and even having an unlikely child with her before Todorovsky wraps it all up in a rou'sin! finale.

Hipsters'score, a lively m6lange of updated Soviet hits and fresh numbers written specially for the film, pumps gway..en'ergeticafly, while cldver art direction blends real-life locations with studio sets to create a world apart. Throughout itall, the cast seems to be having the time of its life.

Hipsters -- Film Review

US l .rtl r.;:ll

Film Reviews TV Reviews Music Reviews Write a Review

5lLTlIl 2:56 PM

i.,,ri l:'t,.,,r

o

FILM REVIEVI'S

Hipsters -- Film ReviewBy Duane Byrge, Ocbber27, 2009 05:26 ET

"llipsters"Film Festival,

B&flr Line: A vi€ua$y sfimring andenerg€*ic musicsl sdirizing rep|€6sion inttesovi{:t Unbn-

CHIGAGO - Asatumatia for tle eye,"Hipterd' is an dd-fasfrior€d musicalcn.dir€d arnid the sH( repression sf the19$ls Soviet Unio*. An in-your-faceda*ce upon ttle graves ofthe Khrushchevsa, this livdy entertainment b anaudierre *avodte and wsr a Siker Ptagsebr itsartdesign altle Chicagolnienrational Film Fes*ival and &e bestfilm award at the Mi{rdb Est lnternaiional

A phantasmaSorb of cols and dane, "Hipstss" is, admittedly, more sheen than subshnce, &oughits general Steme is a srnackdorrn of the stolid, Ofsrellean world of communist Mrmr-

ln this boy-rneets-gid, boy-loses-girl, boy-geb-back-otber-girl sllirirl, Elena Glikman shrs as arebellious teen utrse brighfiy colored warefcbe and anti-establishment libstyle $nacfts in lle grayface of the coll€divist doedy society. She's the brbkljen truit br a conscientbus @rnmunist teen{Anton Sagin}, a your€ sqtrare wfio yearns ior a nrcre livelbr }ife, lnspired by the girl. le doos brightcolors, flaunb a pornpadour and dres hb zealotimmmunis* girlfriend {Evgeniya Khirivskaya}.

Although the plot $umbles around befuveen rornarlce and pctifcal t"act, ifs a yisual {est, and theperformers are vivacious and spirited. Crdit co-wdterldirdor Valery Todorovsky br the captivatingvisuals and heighbrid pae that caphlrs the spirit of youtrrful rebdlion and rtreane.

Tech credits, espially Vladimit Gudlin's sparkling po'ductir:n design and Kons{antin Meladze, aremagical,

Vmue: Chiago lnlel'rl,atianal Filrn Fedival

Pradudion 6mpany: Rd y'ftowCa#: Qksana Akin*ina, Anton Shagin, Evgeniya Khirivskaya, Maksi& Matuev, lgar Voynaav*iyDiredor Valeiy TcdarwskiyScreenryrifers: Yuriy Konfi<cv, Valeriy Todarwd<iyPraduers: Elena Glikmar?', Vadim Garyainw, Leonid Lebedev, ttya lteretin, Vatery T&rcvd.Cr.,Leantd YarmdnikExeutive produ@rs: ldaxim Korqdav, Efuia l{ozhanwaDiredor of photagraphy: Roman VaspnovPtdudion desagner: Vtadimir GudlinM usic: Konstantin MeladzeCo*ume desrgna. Alexander OsipovEditor Alexey BobrwNo nting, 135 mimtes

ReFinb

m iiu,,,

I o# 1 Pag:es

1 Comments

f . ioxonfilm commentgCJcfober 28 2{XIC

Post a CommentAsE{is* r} is a le{.lied feld-

Advertisement

Top Stories

James Tupper, Clark Gregg in Jim Caney film

Megan Fox joins Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig film

Marion Ross cast in Hallmark Channel movie

Disney nabs comedy spec 'Father Figures'

EXCLUSIVE: Ed Asner joins CMT sitcom

,r .t.,t .,, ...,...,11r. :

Photosiirr.. r:j I ,, :.

Latest Revierre

La Bete - Theater Review

Flashdance: The Musical -- Theater Review

FDR - Theater Review

School Pride -- TV Review

Confessions - Film Review

The Country Girl - Theater Review

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson -- Theater Review

Camellia .- Film Review

Videos

hnp:/ /www1. hollywoodreporter.com / h rlfilm-reviewsl hipsters-film-review- 1004030872.story Page 1 of 2