Directed by: Maciej Bochniak
Rating: ★★★☆☆
It’s hard to imagine two more wildly different cultures than rural China and Polish Disco Polo – that cheesy, foot-tapping music that continues to dominate wedding celebrations across this nation. So what happens when you take a Disco Polo band on a tour of the Chinese provinces? Miliard szczęśliwych ludzi (One Billion Happy People) is the answer.
HBO Poland has displayed flair and courage in producing Maciej Bochniak’s documentary, which follows the Chinese odyssey of ensemble Bayer Full. One Billion Happy People is an encounter between two worlds, but also between two equally different characters out of their depth in a foreign land. Bayer Full’s old guard front man Sławomir Świerzyński and liberal but extravagant Sinologue Krzysztof Darewicz are obviously too different to make this a buddy movie, but both recognise that they need each other. Stranded in an unknown milieu, Świerzyński and his band need a spin-doctor to localize their lyrics and to secure introductions to local producers, while Darewicz needs Bayer Full’s engagement on stage to complete his master plan.
One Billion Happy People eventually also sheds some light on the potential for harmless lyrics and peppy tunes for the promotion of local politicians, regardless of their hue.
Originally published by The Krakow Post on July 11, 2012