About that song in Russian
I’ve barely heard it in the background during the scene of Theo and Boris reunion at the bar, but then i listened it at home AND HOLY SHIT GUYS! It’s not just any song! I’m talking about Still waters by ErsatzMusika. When I listened to the Russian lyrics closely after the film I realized that actually these are quite symbolic. I didn’t find any translation in English (or even written lyrics in Russian to begin with), so I decided it could be interesting for some people who don’t speak Russian.
Firstly, ITS NOT JUST ANY RANDOM SONG IN RUSSIAN. This song sounds a lot like that special kind of songs, which we call “Russian chanson”. This genre nowadays is heavily associated with criminal subculture, so these are kind of rogue songs, with specific themes: usually outlaws’ adventures, their tough and dramatic life and their star-crossed loves, all of the above in a very romanticized light. So, very fitting for some shady mafia connected bar and very fitting to Boris character.
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL. Basically, Still waters by ErsatzMusika is the song ABOUT LOVE. Deep dark love that changes the course of one’s life. And ITS INSANE how fitting some lyrics are for Boris/Theo relationship.
Here are just some expecially fitting bits translated from Russian to English as accurately as possible (I did my best):
“Still waters run deep (literally in Russian it’s “there are demons in the quiet ponds”)
Sometimes they say it about me.
No one can find happiness with me
At first I thought that this song is basically about Boris, about his dark chaotic nature, but then I realised this verse describes Theo even better, because of how he tries to suppress his dark “bad” side.
I took you and I haven’t hurt you
I fell in love with you with all my heart”
WOW! JUST WOW! Do you need my comments? I think it’s pretty obvious and for me it’s just how Boris met Theo.
Some other VERY interesting lines are:
“Oh, if we could only know what is written for us two”
“We will share the happiness and the grief in two halves”
“Our path on earth is so short
Light and shadow are inseparable”
WHICH for me IS BASICALLY WHAT THE GOLDFINCH IS ABOUT.
Whoever chose this song I cannot believe that it was by accident.