 Gogol Bordello Non-Stop is a lo-fi, high-energy documentary about New York City’s most notoriously entertaining band, led by frontman Eugene Hütz. Filmmaker and fan Margarita Jimeno follows the band on a five-year journey from underground legend to international phenomenon, taking in the reckless, raucous sights and sounds of a band whom Hütz describes as “dedicated to creating an insane party atmosphere to deliver messages of social and political commentary.” A wildly entertaining celebration of the definitive fun-de-siècle band, Gogol Bordello Non-Stop opens Friday, September 11, 2009, at New York’s Cinema Village, and will screen elsewhere around the country through Lorber Films.
Featuring backstage interviews, onstage antics and copious concert footage, Jimenez waves together the story of the band’s rise and rule. Gogol Bordello’s early gigs involved playing traditional gypsy music at Russian weddings, but their music soon evolved into an explosive stage experience that earned them a following among New York's hipster elite. Combining elements of punk rock, gypsy music, and cabaret theatrics, the band released a single in 1999 entitled When the Trickster Comes a Pokin', quickly followed by their debut full-length release, Voi-La Intruder, which was produced by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds' drummer Jim Sclavunos.
In the early 2000s, Gogol Bordello coalesced into the current nine-member ensemble - seven men and two women, who hail from places all over the globe, including Ukraine, Russia, Ecuador, Israel, Ethiopia and the US. The self-described “immigrant punks” soon became famous for their exhaustive touring, provocative political lyrics, and extravagant stage shows. The band released a succession of hit albums including Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony (2002), East Infection (2005, EP), Gypsy Punks (2005), and Super Taranta! (2007). Hütz became a star of the downtown scene with his Thursday night DJ gigs at the Bulgarian nightspot Mehanata, ultimately parlaying his unique persona into movie roles, co-starring alongside Elijah Wood in Everything Is Illuminated (2005), and performing with Madonna onstage and in her film Filth and Wisdom (2008).
"A passionate punk tribute to the most uninhibited band on the planet, Gogol Bordello Non-Stop goes beyond music, beyond the political, opening hearts and ears to a global artistic revolution."
Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
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