Volga-Volga

Grigory Alexandrov’s musical comedy, Volga-Volga, has long become a classic of Soviet cinema. Most famously, it’s known to have been Joseph Stalin’s favorite film.

The story takes place on a steamboat in the mighty Volga river. There two groups of musicians are travelling up to Moscow to take part in the Moscow Musical Olympics. At the center of the action is a small provincial group of non-professional performers who joyfully dream big about their chances in the competition in the capital. The way their journey is depicted symbolizes the Soviet Union of this period.

If you enjoy Volga-Volga, you’ll probably also really like two other well-known musical comedies by the same director: Circus and Jolly Fellows.

• 1930s
• English subtitles
• Soviet Union