Tokyo a la Mode. Web Magazine for Japanese Fashion and Urban Culture

Linda Linda Linda

By Bobby /Dec 27, 2006
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Linda Linda Linda is the story of four teenage girls with a plan to perform in the high school talent show.  When the guitarist injures her finger and the lead singer bails out, the remaining band members must find a way to keep on rocking.

The film stars Aki Maeda (Battle Royale), Yu Kashii, Shiori Sekine and Korean film star, Bae Doo-na (The Host, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance).  Bae plays Song, the plucky Korean exchange student, recruited by the band to be their new leader singer.  Her character starts off as an outsider but ends up becoming the glue that holds together the all-girl group.  In order to round out their roles, all the girls learned to play their own instruments for the movie except for Shiori who is the real life bassist for the band Base Ball Bear.

Linda Linda Linda is a popular 80s song by The Blue Hearts, the original punk kings of the Japanese music landscape.  The punk rock anthem embodies the spirit of the characters as they form lasting friendships within the monotone confines of daily school life.

The film’s pacing drags, but like most good Japanese films, it’s not what’s said that matters the most.  What you’ll walk away with is a nostalgic feeling for your high school days and the friendships of youth—and the Linda Linda Linda song stuck in your head.

Linda Linda Linda was orginally released in Japan in 2005 and made it’s way around the worldwide film festival circuit.  Plans are in motion for a limited release in theaters with upcoming shows in Seattle, Boston and Atlanta.  Check the Linda Linda Linda website for details.