Musical animals
The Bremen Town Musicians (1969). A musical fantasy based on the Brothers Grimm fairytale, this Soviet animation adds upbeat rock 'n' roll music, whimsical human leads, and hippie-like fashion and dancing to the familiar storyline. The entire plot is told through the soundtrack; it follows the adventures of the book’s four, Donkey, Dog, Cat, and Rooster, plus the young Troubadour, as they sing, outsmart robbers, and win the heart of the young Princess. The story starts and ends with the band’s own anthem – “Ничего на свете лучше нету” (“There’s Nothing Better in the World”).
Book-to-movie
Mary Poppins, Goodbye (1984). Another book adaptation, the plot of this musical movie revolves around finding a nanny for a London-based family with two mischievous little kids. Over time, they hire the mysterious Mary Poppins, a woman who charms everyone with her character, stunning voice, whimsical dance moves, and bewildering magical tricks. Apart from instrumental tracks, the score is divided between several characters, with Mary’s signature song being “Леди совершенство” (“Lady Perfection”).
New Year’s vibes
Carnival Night (1956). A Russian New Year’s classic, on par with The Irony of Fate, the movie chronicles the lead-up to a winter celebration at a community center – a night of jazz, dance, and games – that is threatened by the center’s director. Out of all the songs in the film, “Пять минут” (“Five Minutes”) is the absolute standout hit and a musical staple.
Soviet hipsters
Stilyagi (2008). Produced in the early 00s, the movie draws inspiration from stilyagi, a 50s Soviet youth subculture who were known for vivid clothing styles and affinity for everything Western, from worldviews to music and dance. With cultural confrontations at the heart, the story portrays a regular Soviet guy who finds friendship and love among his “enemies.” Its soundtrack draws heavily from the underground Soviet music scene of the late 20th century, including Nautilus Pompilius, Kino, and many other bands; the musical centerpiece of the movie is “Буги-Вуги” (“Boogie-Woogie”).
Epic love story
Juno and Avos (1983). A notable exception on this list, Juno and Avos isn’t a full-fledged movie but a masterful “proshot” – a recording of a stage performance. It’s a heart-wrenching story of a Russian count and traveler, Nikolai Rezanov, who sets off on an expedition to North America to find himself madly in love. As for the music, the play blends rock music and classical elements; its standout hit is undoubtedly “Я тебя никогда не забуду” (“I’ll Never Forget You”).
Find even more music inspiration via our Russian Music tag; and if you’re on the lookout for a new local streaming service, look no further than this story – we’ve got it all covered music-wise.
