Director Valeriy Todorovsky explores the politics of music, as he hones in on the conflict between the garishly dressed and sexually liberated hipster movement of 50s Russia and their arch-foes – the Komsomol, the youth wing of the Communist Party. In a familiar musical set-up, Communist youth Mels (Anton Shagin) falls head over hells for Polly (Oksana Akinshina), a hipster girl who shows him the wonders of American jazz… and hairspray. Music and their common dream of America becomes a manifestation of freedom. But is the America they dream about real, or just an elaborate fantasy?

With a score consisting of jazzed-up versions of classic Russian hit songs, and headed by a young and energetic cast, Hipsters celebrates the rich and colorful legacy of Russia’s musical tradition. The film won four Nika Awards (the Russian Oscars) including Best Film.

Stockholm Film Festival Programme

This screening is supported by The Smithwicks Cat Laughs.