Watch Leto

Leto is a 2018 Russian musical drama film directed by Kirill Serebrennikov. The movie is set in the early 1980s during the underground rock scene of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) and portrays the emergence of rock stars from the Soviet era. Leto or Summer in English, tells the tale of a young charismatic singer-songwriter, Mike Naumenko (Roman Bilyk), and his wife, Natasha (Irina Starshenbaum), a gifted visual artist. The couple, with their friend Viktor Tsoi (Teo Yoo), becomes the emblem of the underground Russian rock scene. But amidst the sudden death of one of their fellow musicians, Mike and his band Carousel face the struggle between keeping their music alive and their changing place in Soviet society.

The movie intentionally lacks the traditional plot structure and instead, lets the music be the driving force of storytelling. Bridging the narrative gaps are the lyrics to each song along with an unexpected focus on the Leningrad underground youth culture, particularly their love for American rock bands like Lou Reed, Blondie, and T. Rex.

In the film, the camera work hits all the right notes, smoothly gliding through the streets of Leningrad during the night, capturing the unique architecture, the punk hairstyles, and the colorful clothing of the underground scene. Meanwhile, the film's black and white aesthetic adds to the vintage-like charm of the Soviet summer.

The actors in Leto deliver a masterful performance, particularly Roman Bilyk as the musician Mike Naumenko. He embodies the essence of the character with precision, portraying him as a man of integrity and passion, yet flawed in his personal life. Meanwhile, Irina Starshenbaum is equally impressive in her role as Natasha. As a visual artist, Natasha is struggling to find her place in the world, particularly with the rise of her husband's successful music career. She fills the screen with her emotional portrayal of a woman striving for her identity while also navigating the complexities of her relationship.

What makes Leto unique is its approach to storytelling, where music becomes the protagonist, while the characters are mere instruments. The film is not about the lives of the characters; instead, it is a reflection of the cultural and political climate of Soviet-era Russia. The music is the catalyst for change and rebellion against the system's oppression, evoking the spirit of freedom and self-expression amongst the youth culture.

Overall, Leto is a must-watch for anyone that loves music and its cultural impact. Its vivid portrayal of the Soviet-era underground rock scene is a feat of filmmaking that will immerse you in a world of music, love, and rebellion.

Leto is a 2018 music movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 8 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 69.