Extraordinary

This movie charts the adventures of Russian rock bands Kino and Zoopark and the underground rock scene in Leningrad in the 80s. It's filmed mostly in beautiful black and white, and contains some hugely popular music (Iggy Pop, Talking Heads, Lou Reed etc) as well as original Russian rock. I really enjoyed the musical interlude type scenes, and though I thought they were a gimmick at first, I ended up loving them and wanting more.

It's a beautifully shot film that is at times funny, quirky, whimsical, romantic and poignant. The tone of the film wavers but doesn't distract. It uses the semi biographical nature as a backdrop to the changes in the USSR. New regimes replacing old ones etc. I went in blind to this movie, and came out stunned.

Exceptional.

9/10