Russia RUSSIA 2015 - Polina Gagarina - A Million Voices

[Sammy]

Oh, as she was reading the points.

I don't think booing is justifiable at all actually. It's just as bad if it's a song you don't enjoy because music is subjective. I think it can be made very clear when a crowd doesn't like a song, and it can be done without sinking to the nastiness of booing. A quieter reaction says the message just as well.

Well what do you mean by "quieter reaction"? Not expressing yourself at all?
I think an artist has to bear criticism even if it is loud and sometimes perhaps even unfair. As long as it is directed at your performance, not at your person or on the country you come from etc. If you want to be on stage, you have to deal with the fact, that not everything pleases everybody.
I mean, wouldn't you have booed here?????

or here

 

[simonPL]

Polina knows that she might be booed for political reasons and agreed to sing for Russia anyway. I think she shouldn't be seen like a helpless little girl. She is fully aware of the political situation and decided to sing a hypocritical peace song. The only thing missing is the LED screen being illuminated in the colors of the rainbow to make the hypocrisy perfect. I don't see a problem with ten thousand voices being raised against Russia and this piece of propaganda. The contest has never been just about music and everybody knows it. Russia itself is sending an entry that is blatant propaganda. Russia singing about peace is reason enough to boo and I hope we will hear some booing again.

+1

Even if I like "A Million Voices" so much, I couldn't agree more.

 

[toinou03]

Polina knows that she might be booed for political reasons and agreed to sing for Russia anyway. I think she shouldn't be seen like a helpless little girl. She is fully aware of the political situation and decided to sing a hypocritical peace song. The only thing missing is the LED screen being illuminated in the colors of the rainbow to make the hypocrisy perfect. I don't see a problem with ten thousand voices being raised against Russia and this piece of propaganda. The contest has never been just about music and everybody knows it. Russia itself is sending an entry that is blatant propaganda. Russia singing about peace is reason enough to boo and I hope we will hear some booing again.

(I think after Supergirl an Mlyn were banned, it has gotten too peaceful here.)

She'll have a million voices booing her, she'll be very happy 3

 

[Blerg]

I'm sorry, but booing is completely misguided and disrespectful in a annual musical family competition. It's a music competition not a political rally where activists can go and protest at the doors of the UN over the human rights of a country.

These artists go an represent their country not their government nor their human rights laws. The idea that Polina 'knows' what she's getting herself into and thus deserves to hear the boos on behalf of her country does not sit well with me at all. This goes into very shaky territory.

There are other ways to show discontent over a country, and Eurovision is not it.

I don't see how A Million Voices is blatant propaganda, when people sing these types of songs every freaking day. The UK sent one last year, should everyone have booed that one because of the British Empire? Iraq? etc. Idealising a song with the repercussions of a government is as troublesome as the Russian government itself.

 

[Musicosity]

Was there any booing in 2003 for the UK, Denmark, Poland, Romania, the Netherlands and the other countries which invaded Iraq?

 

[RainyWoods]

Well what do you mean by "quieter reaction"? Not expressing yourself at all?
I think an artist has to bear criticism even if it is loud and sometimes perhaps even unfair. As long as it is directed at your performance, not at your person or on the country you come from etc. If you want to be on stage, you have to deal with the fact, that not everything pleases everybody.
I mean, wouldn't you have booed here?????

No, the first one I would have cheered for as it was epic2 The second song you linked I would have been puzzled watching it, but I wouldn't have booed. I wouldn't boo anyone at Eurovision for simply performing their song to us, whether I like it or not.

Sure enough, you can't please everyone but it's a basic level of respect people should have. Booing is an ungentlemanly way of showing disapproval.

 

[simonPL]

Was there any booing in 2003 for the UK, Denmark, Poland, Romania, the Netherlands and the other countries which invaded Iraq?

No, there was a booing for t.A.T.u. in 2003.

 

[Sammy]

No, the first one I would have cheered for as it was epic2 The second song you linked I would have been puzzled watching it, but I wouldn't have booed. I wouldn't boo anyone at Eurovision for simply performing their song to us, whether I like it or not.

Sure enough, you can't please everyone but it's a basic level of respect people should have. Booing is an ungentlemanly way of showing disapproval.

Then why is it not considered a lack of respect, when audiences in high quality theaters and opera houses show their disapproval with the singing/acting/staging by booing in the end? I've often experienced this and it was never considered rude or disrespectful.
(For the protocol, I never have booed, I rather leave, if I don't like it)

 

[Chorizo]

I'm sorry, but booing is completely misguided and disrespectful in a annual musical family competition. It's a music competition not a political rally where activists can go and protest at the doors of the UN over the human rights of a country.

These artists go an represent their country not their government nor their human rights laws. The idea that Polina 'knows' what she's getting herself into and thus deserves to hear the boos on behalf of her country does not sit well with me at all. This goes into very shaky territory.

There are other ways to show discontent over a country, and Eurovision is not it.

Polina knows that in the eyes of the audience she represents Russia. The format of the contest couldn't make that any more obvious. Nobody forced her to sing a song about peace. She made her choice to be a part of the Russian propaganda machine. Why should the audience appreciate such hypocrisy? It's not just about the country, it's also about her own choice to perform such a song.

The Russian representative singing a peace song while Russia is waging a war is misguided. Expecting everyone to applaud this wonderful message of peace or at least to refrain from any criticism because it's a song contest and not a political contest is unrealistic and I wouldn't approve of everyone just letting Russia get away with such things. The audience must be able to express their discomfort with such hypocrisy. Polina could have sung about something else. Why does she sing about peace? That is even more likely to make the audience boo than a song about something else. Russian politics is an integral part of the country. When she represents Russia, she doesn't just represent a geographical area with arbitrary borders.

There you have it: Peace! In your face!

I don't see how A Million Voices is blatant propaganda, when people sing these types of songs every freaking day. The UK sent one last year, should everyone have booed that one because of the British Empire? Iraq? etc. Idealising a song with the repercussions of a government is as troublesome as the Russian government itself.

If the UK started a war with Ireland and decided to send a song about peace to Eurovision the same year, it would certainly deserve to be booed. Russia is the only country that has made such a choice, though. This is a current issue and not about history.

 

[Blerg]

Then why is it not considered a lack of respect, when audiences in high quality theaters and opera houses show their disapproval with the singing/acting/staging by booing in the end? I've often experienced this and it was never considered rude or disrespectful.
(For the protocol, I never have booed, I rather leave, if I don't like it)

Interesting. Because in this scenario, that is still to be seen as a lack of respect in my part of the world.

 

[RainyWoods]

Then why is it not considered a lack of respect, when audiences in high quality theaters and opera houses show their disapproval with the singing/acting/staging by booing in the end? I've often experienced this and it was never considered rude or disrespectful.
(For the protocol, I never have booed, I rather leave, if I don't like it)

It doesn't matter what the place or who the audience are watching, I still think it's a rude and damaging thing to do, to humiliate someone in such a way. I'd really rather it not be a part of Eurovision. As a fan it embarrasses me.

 

[Sammy]

Interesting. Because in this scenario, that is still to be seen as a lack of respect in my part of the world.

Well, I could now sort out old stereotypes and persume, that british and austrian theater audiences have different codes of conduct.
Even though I wouldn't qualify the viennese public as disrespectful.

But to close this, before it gets completely off-topic: for me, booing to Polina would be wrong in any way because you couldn't tell the difference weather you didn't like her song or russian politics. Also, I think the argument "she knows what she's doing" is not an excuse for booing at her because being a representative of your country does not automatically mean that you support everything your president does. I mean, this is also a big and unique chance for an artist that isn't possible every year. So she hardly can wait until the ESC audience is more in the mood to judge her on her artistic qualities and not by her nationality. So, I don't think she's a little girl, but rather a quite courageous woman, facing this.

 

[popavapeur]

That's a difficult question.
I don't agree with Russia (But did i before?)
I think that the booing is a "peaceful" way to say we don't agree with something. Of course the Tv host or the russian artist don't represent their government (and we don't know if they agree with that) and no one deserve to be booed for someone else (in that case)
AFTER, that's maybe the only way europeans found to say "we are angry" and even if the eurovision shouldn't be political : it is. From the 1st contest to the 60th it always have been political. Just the fact we are "countries" is political, you represent a country, you are the country for a night. And i think that the worst thing is to be silent against something "wrong" (imo) in the world so i was kind of "happy" to see that some people dare to boo in a major show like eurovision.
My knowledge of english expressions is so bad but in French, we have a sentence who say : "Who say nothing, agree" (that's why French people are good with revolutions 8D)
BTW, last year was pretty special with the problems in Ukraine and the recent activities with Poutine (Sotchi and LGBT rights and more) this year seems to be "quiet" compared to last year so i don't really think that we'll see this happening again.

EDIT : i like the song, deserve a top 10 for me even if it's plastic. but i like cheesy stuff so let's go with that. I deal with it.
Plastic is fantastic, remember.

 

[tuorem]

Of course the Tv host or the russian artist don't represent their government (and we don't know if they agree with that) and no one deserve to be booed for someone else (in that case).

I may be naive but that's what I think too. The situation of the Russian delegation is tough: of course they know how their country is depicted abroad, so that may be the reason why they kept on sending songs about peace recently... to pacify spirits and somehow say "no" to their own government in their own way. Unfortunately, seen from abroad, it just sounds like an offensive irony because one immediately associates Russia with Putin while these people can't be held responsible for his actions.

 

[popavapeur]

I may be naive but that's what I think too. The situation of the Russian delegation is tough: of course they know how their country is depicted abroad, so that may be the reason why they kept on sending songs about peace recently... to pacify spirits and somehow say "no" to their own government in their own way. Unfortunately, seen from abroad, it just sounds like an offensive irony because one immediately associates Russia with Putin while these people can't be held responsible for his actions.

Yes you're right, we'll never know what they really think about all this shit happening. I do think Russia must stay in the contest and send songs, i'm happy to see this country each year (even if i don't like their songs - i hated to see Dima Bilan win , i just like the 2015 entry ). they should send a random song about love, i don't know instead of this.. it's kind of "borderline".

Let's all eat fondue cheese together yeeeeeayyy (if all the ex-URSS vote for this, it could be a real contender for the win i think)

 

[Luki]

Charming but formulaic. 6 pts.

 

[lilka]

Polina knows that she might be booed for political reasons and agreed to sing for Russia anyway. I think she shouldn't be seen like a helpless little girl. She is fully aware of the political situation and decided to sing a hypocritical peace song. The only thing missing is the LED screen being illuminated in the colors of the rainbow to make the hypocrisy perfect. I don't see a problem with ten thousand voices being raised against Russia and this piece of propaganda. The contest has never been just about music and everybody knows it. Russia itself is sending an entry that is blatant propaganda. Russia singing about peace is reason enough to boo and I hope we will hear some booing again.

(I think after Supergirl an Mlyn were banned, it has gotten too peaceful here.)

I somehow miss them.

 

[Leydan]

I somehow miss them.

We all do really. It won't be the same without them.

 

[Sabiondo]

Polina imitating Katy Perry singing I Kissed a Girl today in Channel One.

http://www.1tv.ru/videoarchive/90250

 

[Vera]

She is an amazing girl. Beautiful girl, beautiful voice, and a song with a nice message. I love Russia as a country, but this is the first russian ESC song that I really love. Dimaxboring