Onward and with a song: 5 cult musicals for all time

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“Cabaret”, 1972

While the Nazis come to power and Jewish pogroms are happening, American Sally Bowles entertains Berlin in a cabaret. Outside the doors of the club – political and economic chaos, inside – an eternal holiday. Sally’s idle life changes when she meets Brian, an Englishman giving lessons to a young Jewish woman, and Max, a wealthy German playboy. Beyond that, just watch. The picture received 8 Oscars, opened the world to Liza Minnelli and turned the idea of ​​musicals that were “obsolete” by that time.

“Singing in the rain”, 1952

This legendary film is based on a dozen old songs written for various Broadway shows. The protagonist, silent film star Don Lockwood is faced with a new era of sound cinema, in which he understands nothing. He has to either change, or go forever into the past. Film critics in the United States interpreted the film as an “autobiography of Hollywood” during the transition from silent to sound films. Despite the rather trivial plot, the picture reflected the spirit of the time and subsequently became a classic.

“La La Land”, 2016

Mia dreams of becoming an actress, and Sebastian – a jazz musician. In the meantime, she serves coffee, and he plays where he has to. One day they will have to choose between personal happiness and ambition. This tragicomic musical about compromise in life has captivated audiences and critics alike, and has already become a cult contemporary example of the genre. At the 89th Academy Awards, the film won 6 major awards, except for Best Picture. “La La Land” was announced in error and took more than two minutes for the organizers to correct; the real winner was Moonlight.

“West Side Story”, 1961

The story of Romeo and Juliet from the warring gangs in the scenery of Manhattan streets. Tony is a member of the Jet gang, Maria is the sister of the leader of their enemies, the Sharks. Tony and Maria fall in love with each other despite the hatred of friends and relatives, but their love, as usual, will end tragically. The picture was a huge success and received 10 “Oscars” with 11 nominations, including “Best Picture”, becoming the record holder for the number of wins in this genre. Steven Spielberg’s recent self-titled remake was nominated in 7 categories but failed to win any.

“Cherbourg Umbrellas”, 1964

Genevieve works in the family’s umbrella shop and is in love with Guy, an auto mechanic, but Guy is soon drafted into the army and sent to Algiers. Parting, the lovers promise to wait for each other, but Genevieve finds out that she is pregnant, but there is still no news from her beloved. Will their love stand the test of time? This is already to be seen in the cinema. “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” became the first film in the genre of film opera, where there is not a single spoken dialogue – all the characters in the film sing. Director Jacques Demy wanted to create an “idealization of everyday life”. Later, Demi will be called the founder of poetic realism in cinema, and “Umbrellas” – “a poem in music and color.” The success and the “Palme d’Or” at the Cannes Film Festival provided the film with a beautiful young Catherine Deneuve and Legrand’s touching music.