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The background to the strange partnership is this: the Leningrad Cowboys were a rocker-boy group created by Kaurismäki in an earlier film, while the Red Army Ensemble was formed to prevent extinction of the Russian folk-music heritage. When these two entities are first glimpsed on stage the contrast seems unbridgeable; rows of musicians in full military uniform at the back with the Cowboys (flaunting winkle-picker shoes and enormous quiffs) at the front. However, as soon as they launch into the first song we see and hear just how well they are suited. Mixing rock songs (Delilah, Gimme All Your Lovin, Those Were the Days etc) with classical pieces (Kalinka, The Volga Boat Man) works perfectly (the huge audience certainly seem to think so!).
It's true that seeing Red Army soldiers sing about laying down their weapons, or strumming balalaikas to the tune of ZZ Top, seems faintly bizarre but they really add depth to these popular songs. Unfortunately the Cowboys can't contribute much to the classical music, other than to dance around, but this isn't too important. A more removed viewpoint shows that this concert mirrors some of the changes happening in Russia at the time (1993), such as decreasing respect for the past and the greater influence of capitalistic values. These are intriguing points to consider while watching the film but the most important fact is this; the concert is great fun and well worth catching.
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