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Comments on T.A.T.U.
by Leslie Schmidt
Comments on t.A.T.u.
Created in 1999, (in Moscow) Lena Katina and Yulia Volkva were both 14. The producer, Ivan Shapovalov, had the concept of a pair of teenage lesbian lovers and the tension and angst this would create. The result has been a sensation throughout Russia and Europe. Not only did the concept create quite a stir, but their music and performance is extraordinary. As has been pointed out by a number of critics, the concept would not have gone far if not for the great talent of Lena and Yulia.
They have also featured in a movie that has not (alas) been released in the US.
Much of their early work capitalizes on the idea that they are teen lesbian lovers (something they have never confirmed or denied). Also, their earlier performances have an incredible energy. (Yulia has short dark hair, Lena has red/brown longer hair).
Early video of "Ya Shola S Uma (I've Lost My Mind) and "Nas Ne Dagoniat" (They Won't Catch Us)
Please excuse the poor video quality. English versions of the official videos:
Sadly, Lena and Yulia dissolved t.A.T.u. in March, 2011. These days, Yulia is married and has two sons while Lena is pursuing as solo career here in the US.
I'd like to note, it is certain that they are not lesbians. However, as two teenage girls acting the part and always sharing a hotel room while on tour... It is also true that two American girls would never be allowed to work and create in this way. I could just hear the screams of "Child Exploitation!" I have a feeling that they were not exposed in the US market for this reason. However, in more open minded societies, their talent was appreciated, regardless of their ages.
They are both enormously talented women (even at 14), who had extensive formal music education as youngsters. (In Europe music programs in the schools do more than create entertainment during halftime). Lena has been noted to be a highly talented pianist and they both wrote much of their music. Yulia was the creative force in directing their concerts.
I urge anyone looking through their videos on youtube to watch the Russian videos, or at least the ones that have not been sanitized for the prudish American audience.
Here are some of my favorites (Russian and English)
(Russian) Slightly different and much better quality video-you must watch this one carefully for the differences.
(English), Really disturbing.
(Russian) Same video, more disturbing in Russian.
(Could 'White Robe' hint and an undercurrent I've picked up in some of their works-Is Lena resentful of Yulia's having children?)
This last video is just too much fun!
For those of you who investigate this pair more closely, I have found that many of the songs in English do not closely match the Russian lyrics. It's interesting to find literal translations to see what the songs really say. (In Russian "Ya shola s uma" translates to "I've lost my mind" not "All the things she said" or "This is not enough.") This is also true of the videos. It seems that the US media, out of fear of the Prude Right, have toned down many of the videos and certainly forced many of the lyrics to be changed.
Tell me what you think of these Russian dolls: lschmidt@boardermail.com
--Les Schmidt
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