This is a movie of make-believe. The band is born out of Kaurismäki's collaboration with his friends, who later became members of the band. Together, they made a concert documentary ("Total Balalaika Show"), music videos ("Rocky VI" "Through the Wire" "LA Women") and two feature films (this one and "Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses"). The movie was a hit and the band started touring as a result. (The singer in the film who joined at the gas station, though, is Nicky Tesco from a British punk band, The Members.)