The documentary is not bad, but I wish it had more on the individual band members and their Russian background. What we get are the trials and tribulations of trying to record a country music album during upheavals in the country music industry with companies and recording contracts. For much of what happens this could be almost any band, American or non-American.
I had the feeling the documentary was made partly as a promotional device to advertise the band as they were stuck in a kind of limbo during much of the movie. That would explain the lack of film prior to their arrival in the U.S. What little was filmed in Russia appeared to be when band members went back to visit family.
This is not to say the band members are not good, they are. Their music mostly sounds like top 40 country music of the time - the early part of this decade. I enjoyed the one song they played in concert that showcased their Russian background.
I would have liked more on the individual band members. Probably part of this lack of depth is that these are teenagers after all. Add in that they are non-US people and not so used to self analysis and expressing their emotions to strangers. I don't think the filmmakers really ever got close to the band members.
There is such a thing as a "Russian soul" and a Russian characteristic of fatalism and accepting one's fate. I know as I have Russian ancestors. I saw a glimpse of that in several of the young men's comments after the fire and their frustration in not moving forward with their career. I would have like the filmmaker to spent more time on showing how being Russian affected the kids outlook and decisions, at least more so than being homesick and having to contend with Visa restrictions on work.
Unfortunately it appears the documentary ends before Bering Strait's success and eventual breakup. Wikipedia has some interesting info on the band and what the members are up to now. A positive thing about this documentary is that it got me interested in the band and their fate and I went searching for more info.
