The Songs of the Sea (1971)

Overview

"One pure peaceful sky, one bright southern sun, one warm Black sea and deep true friendship of burning hearts connect the Soviet and Romanian youth..." A musical ensemble of Romanian students dreams of being selected for a competition in Sochi, Russia. They hear rumors that a Russian ship with a festival talent scout will be arriving in the port of Constanta. The band sets up for a performance at the harbor, in hopes of attracting the scout’s attention immediately upon arrival. A case of mistaken identity leads to a series of complications involving a suitcase, two small-time gangsters, a blonde tourist, and the band’s drummer. This attempt at a plot conforms of course to the conventions of romantic musical comedies, resulting in a film full of song and dance. With memorable song titles like “Yes, I am an umbrella” and “Let’s play my guitar”, this Romanian-Soviet co-production is as silly as it is irresistible.