t.A.T.u.
Russia’s most successful recording act ever, t.A.T.u., comprises two young Muscovites, Lena Katina and Yulia Volkova, who were selected at ages 15 and 14, respectively, after massive auditions in 1999 by a producer who thought he could become rich by creating and marketing a teen-girl duo. He was correct. The pair’s astounding success was fueled by award-winning dance-beat singles (the one best-known to English-speakers might be “All the Things She Said”) and CDs and videos that shocked the Russian public by showing Katina and Volkova kissing.
Now Mischa Barton, best-known from TV’s The O.C., will star in a film, Finding t.A.T.u, based on a novel authored by State Duma Deputy Alexei Mitrofanov of the Liberal Democratic Party, according to the Moscow Times. In the film, Barton “will play a Russian girl called Lana, from the provincial city of Yaroslavl, who befriends a lonely American girl living in Moscow, played by Danielle Panabaker. The two girls bond over their shared love” for the duo — then fall in love with each other.
Mitrofanov’s novel, t.A.T.u Come Back, published in 2006, was “written in the form of short text messages.” Producer Leonid Minkovski told the Moscow Times that, when he first heard about the book, “I got excited because I really like t.A.T.u.’s music.” Then he read it: “Minkovski was convinced. ‘I felt there was depth and a feeling of new Russia in this, so we decided to say yes.’ The film’s screenplay … has a different ending from his book, which includes the murder of one of the girls’ mothers, and also changes one of his Russian heroines into an American. The book aimed to show the lives of teenagers born at the end of or after the fall of the Soviet regime….
“The book’s plot hinges around t.A.T.u. because ‘all their songs are about freedom,’ Mitrofanov said. ‘People talk about t.A.T.u. being so depraved, but that is a form of natural self-defense from those who want everyone to toe the line.’”
Daniel Says:
August 14th, 2007 at 6:06 amVisit Daniel
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article From Russia With Love, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.
Mihail Says:
August 14th, 2008 at 9:26 amVisit Mihail
t.a.t.u – The first successful project of Russia. Now a place has occupied Dima Bilan.
Kiin Says:
September 10th, 2008 at 4:03 pmVisit Kiin
Love their songs!
Roomba Says:
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:12 amVisit Roomba
Yes, they used to be quite popular in Russia several years ago. Have heard of them for awhile though.
But I like their songs, like “they not gonna get us”.
Patty Cravitz Says:
February 8th, 2009 at 8:22 amVisit Patty Cravitz
This movie ought to be interesting. I always found foreign films very enjoyable from the usual movies I watch. I hope this one turns out to be good too.
Russian Love Says:
February 25th, 2009 at 1:24 pmVisit Russian Love
Eventhough they are not as famous as before, still quite getting attention with their personal life in Russia.
Bemka Russian Caviar Says:
April 6th, 2009 at 3:16 amVisit Bemka Russian Caviar
I wonder what they do now. Their video clips were really cool to watch.
iphone books Says:
May 7th, 2009 at 11:06 amVisit iphone books
I still enjoy their videos. Nice they were
Photo Says:
June 26th, 2009 at 1:56 amVisit Photo
Hi all) I’m from Russia.
Then i was young (9 years) Kate was my girlfrend=))
Was funny) Now they don’t very popukar in Russia.
Rave Says:
December 8th, 2009 at 6:19 pmVisit Rave
Love their songs!
Love TATU!
Rave Says:
December 8th, 2009 at 6:19 pmVisit Rave
By the way they have left ((
Emily Says:
April 21st, 2011 at 1:50 amVisit Emily
I love Tatu..wonder will they make new album? miss their new songs so much..
Coat Rack Says:
April 29th, 2011 at 1:13 pmVisit Coat Rack
The girls really do a nice job on their songs it’s a little different than what I generally listen to I still enjoy them
andy Says:
May 8th, 2011 at 12:19 pmVisit andy
Some people have all the luck. The producer who found/groomed them for stardom I’m referring to.
Well if you stop to think about it, it wasn’t luck was it. The single biggest thing that stops people from succeeding is the ability to make things happen and above all an attitude that says ‘I’m going for it, or I taking a bit of a risk with this’
So many play safe in life because they don’t want to lose what they have. Fair enough but when what they have isn’t what they want it doesn’t make sense does it?
Anyhow, Tatu….not my cup of tea I’m afraid.