Here’s an interesting clip that I found about making of the 80s film, Letter to Brezhnev.
This week is a good time to talk about Letter To Brezhnev, the film and the soundtrack for many reasons. First, the movie is partially a love story involving two people from different cultures. Spring is around the corner and Valentine’s day is less than a week away.
Elaine and Peter meet extra sexy and cute,staring across a crowded dance floor while Bronski Beat song, Hit That Perfect Beat, plays on the speakers. This song’s connection to the cross country/culture love story is evident in the video and the film’s trailer. The attraction of two lonely individuals has to be strong enough to keep the audience for the rest of the story. This song zaps the listener an extra naughty thunderbolt that’s unforgettable.
Due to current suggested Russian policies, playing Bronski Beat in Russia today may become grounds for imprisonment. In 1985, however, their music spun on turntables, worldwide. The song was the ‘perfect’ choice for the soundtrack.
The soundtrack album states that some songs did not appear in the film. Perhaps it was part of the financing for the film that is mentioned in the introduction clip, that some songs would pad the soundtrack. The bonus songs are commercials for other artists on the label.
I haven’t seen the movie in a long time, so except for Hit That Perfect Beat and The Letter to Brezhnev Theme (guessing here), I don’t remember which songs were actually in the film. It is a great collection of songs from the mid ’80s with one song from the ’60s (Sadie Shaw’s version of Always Something There To Remind Me).
As the film evolves, Elaine battles for a chance to see her love again, for a chance to resume the most amazing relationship she’s ever known. Elaine has to argue and plead with government leaders and consider leaving her family and friends to be with Peter again.
Whether this song is in the film or not, I can’t remember. It sure is a nice one to have, though, Wild Party by A Certain Ratio.
Finally, another reason to think of this film lately is because, it comes from and is about life in Liverpool. It’s another piece of art from the same great city that brought us The Beatles.
Turtabling has a sealed copy of Letter to Brezhnev vinyl LP for sale on Discogs–first come, first served.
Jen Kilzer
