If the new Netflix comedy movie Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of the Fire Saga This is the first time you have heard of the Eurovision Song Contest in real life, it would be easy to think that the antics that Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams and the company raised have been exaggerated for their comic effect. In fact, the acts of the film pale in comparison to the actual acts of the last years of the contest. Eurovision, which has been held annually since 1956, invites European countries to present musical acts to compete, and is known as one of the biggest and most fabulous events of the year.
Some of the references in Eurovision singing contest they are explicit, while others are a little more nebulous. We’ve linked the most obvious examples here, for a crash course in the most colorful acts of the contest.
“Double trouble”, fire saga
The song that Fire Saga presents as their Eurovision act, “Double Trouble”, ends by featuring a giant hamster wheel. It is an outrageous accessory taken directly from a 2014 competition by Ukrainian singer Mariya Yaremchuk. In EurovisionThe wheel act ends badly, but Yaremchuk’s performance did not involve an accident. The hamster wheel coming off the stage is a comical exaggeration, though Yaremchuk climbs on top of the wheel while singing.
“Running with the wolves”, Moon Fang
One of the most colorful acts Fire Saga faces in competition is Moon Fang, a gang whose limbs are covered in heavy prosthetics that make them look like ghouls. Their appearance and their metal sound were taken directly from Lordi, the Finnish heavy metal group that won the 2006 contest. Arguably the only difference between the two is that Moon Fang has a member of the band whose face is not completely cover.
“Lion of love”, Alexander Lemtov
Dan Stevens plays Alexander Lemtov, a Russian singer whose trademark is his operatic singing voice. Romania’s 2013 entry, Cezar, is similar not only in terms of how he sings (certainly in a higher rank than Lemtov), but also in his equally dramatic outfit and supporting dancers chart.
“In the mirror”, Katiana
One of the biggest cameos in Eurovision it’s Demi Lovato as Icelandic singer Katiana. Her powerful performance in Icelandic preselection for Eurovision could be compared to any number of divas who have competed in real-life competition in years past, but is more reminiscent of Loreen’s performance of “Euphoria” as Sweden’s entry in 2012 Although Katiana’s song is a little more pop than Loreen’s, the reliance on dramatic manga and a wind machine to climb sexual attraction The factor of a single interpreter are clear parallels.
“The Viking Singer”, Viking of the XXI century
Although 21st Century Viking does not make it to Eurovision, his performance in Icelandic competition is a clear reference to Denmark’s entry in 2018, Rasmussen. Rasmussen has five members, rather than a lone singer, but the group vibe (long hair, big beards, much more relaxed music than might be expected) is the same, especially when the wind machines speed up and the hair starts to fly seriously.
Vox Media has affiliate associations. These do not influence editorial content, although Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased through affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.
