Printable version of thread
Click here to view this topic in its original format
BuzzJack Music Forum _ Movies and Theatre _ Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
Posted by: WhoOdyssey Jun 18 2018, 08:30 PM
https://deadline.com/2018/06/will-ferrell-netflix-eurovision-screen-comedies-in-trouble-adam-sandler-chris-rock-1202412396/
Will Ferrell is starring in and co-writing a musical-comedy for Netflix based around Eurovision!
I love Ferrell and Eurovision, so I'm very excited to see how this will turn out! Hopefully they time the release right and have some sort of promotion at the 2019 (or later) event.
Posted by: 5 Silas Frøkner Jun 18 2018, 08:39 PM
Will Ferrell is not funny in anyway shape or form, how dare he have the audacity to come within a million miles of the sacred Eurovision.
American's ruin everything.
Posted by: Klumzee Jun 18 2018, 08:44 PM
Will Ferrell and Eurovision doesn't sound like a good mix in my mind 
Although I was a fan of Blades of Glory which is a pisstake of another topic close to my heart so I'll remain open minded! I have no idea how they'll make a musical-comedy related to Eurovision whilst bringing anything new to the table but I'll definitely give this a go for better or for worse.
Posted by: Klaus Jun 18 2018, 09:15 PM
Will Ferrell has to been to a few Eurovisions so this doesn’t actually suprise me 
Posted by: Liаm Jun 18 2018, 09:17 PM
American's ruin everything.
Exactly this!!!
Elf is the worst film ever bar none and he has not one bone of comedy in his body. And as if stupid people didn't view Eurovision as enough of a joke we get this representation
Posted by: J▲hq Jun 18 2018, 09:28 PM
I'm not the biggest Will Ferrell fan but I enjoyed the Daddy's Home movies so I'm going to keep an open mind and hope for the best
Posted by: Iz Jun 18 2018, 09:37 PM
I am really not hopeful. His comedic style cannot mesh well with Eurovision into something at all watchable. If it goes anything like the way I can predict it will it will be something to strongly avoid.
Posted by: HarryEzra Jun 19 2018, 12:18 AM
But Stepbrothers and Elf are two hilarious films so I have hope *.*
Posted by: PaulM1983 Jun 19 2018, 07:22 AM
I am not here for this. At all.
What they should have done is got Petra Mede on the case, considering she's already done the groundwork for this in recent years.
Posted by: Jonjo Jun 19 2018, 10:28 AM
I'm really here for this *.*
Love both so much. 
Intrigued to see where this goes. I imagine it's gonna be more of a mocking than a spoofing though </3
Posted by: Alex! Jun 19 2018, 10:58 AM
Oh god, I hate will ferrell.
HOPEFULLY, its good though.
Posted by: BridgeCow Jun 19 2018, 07:18 PM
Very prepared for this to be unwatchable trash...
Posted by: UltraReputation Jun 19 2018, 07:33 PM
I'm just here for this for the extra posts we'll get in the movie forum about it 
Posted by: Cqmerqn Jun 19 2018, 09:04 PM
!!!!!!!
Posted by: 5 Silas Frøkner Jun 21 2018, 10:07 PM
Two of the worst things recorded to film in human history
Posted by: Jonjo Jun 21 2018, 10:12 PM
YES I WENT THERE. DON'T @ ME.
Srsly tho.. SB and Elf hate can kindly FO outta here.
Posted by: HarryEzra Jun 21 2018, 10:43 PM
YES I WENT THERE. DON'T @ ME.
Srsly tho.. SB and Elf hate can kindly FO outta here.AGREED also any Anchorman hate too
Posted by: Cody💧Slayberry Jun 21 2018, 11:54 PM
omg people actually hate Elf????
...not festive. Love yourselves, please.
Posted by: 5 Silas Frøkner Jun 27 2018, 01:56 PM
Anchorman is truly awful.
This is going to be a disaster. The EBU need to get a cease and desist order on the go asap.
YES I WENT THERE. DON'T @ ME.
Srsly tho.. SB and Elf hate can kindly FO outta here.Leave the original Legally Blonde out of this. It's better than anything Will Ferrel goes within a hundred miles of.
Posted by: WhoOdyssey Jun 27 2018, 03:48 PM
I imagine they'd have had to got the rights from the EBU to make this film in the first place.
Posted by: Mack. Jun 28 2018, 02:27 PM
An awful thought that.
Posted by: WhoOdyssey Mar 7 2019, 06:59 PM
https://variety.com/2019/film/news/will-ferrell-comedy-eurovision-director-netflix-1203156916/
Update!
The film will be directed by David Dobkin, who has previously directed films including Shanghai Knights, Wedding Crashers and his last film was The Judge in 2014.
Will Ferrell will co-write with Andrew Steele (who was head writer SNL from 1995-2008).
Posted by: Mack. Mar 8 2019, 11:15 AM
Will Farrell and Eurovision not sure that would work.
Posted by: WhoOdyssey Aug 5 2019, 07:55 PM
Update!
Pierce Brosnan has joined the cast, with Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams as the film’s main leads. Will and Rachel are said to be playing Icelanders and filming will be taking place in Iceland and Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Posted by: Jonjo Aug 5 2019, 09:43 PM
Im so excited for this. 
Posted by: cantthinkofaname Aug 8 2019, 06:57 PM
Pierce Brosnan has joined the cast, with Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams as the film’s main leads. Will and Rachel are said to be playing Icelanders and filming will be taking place in Iceland and Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Pierce is supposed to be an Icelander too (and supposedly the most handsome man in Iceland too lol). Apparently their character names are supposed to be Lars Ericksson (Will), Sigrid Ericksdottir (Rachel) and Erick Ericksson (Pierce) none of which are actual Icelandic names so.. lol.
Posted by: Iz~ Aug 9 2019, 09:57 AM
I'm guessing that they want to have their protagonists be a 'small' Eurovision country so they can seem like underdogs, they want it to be Scandinavian because that both fits with the 'typically Eurovision' sort of thing but is also more relatable to their American audience than a Slavic nation would be, leaving Iceland as the only choice, the other 4 Nordics have too many people to be underdogs.
But the proper Icelandic version of the name (Eirikur?) sounds too weird to be believably a name usable in a mainstream television production (especially for that 'oh so hilarious his name's the same as his surname' character). So they figure their audience isn't going to care and go with the more 'normal' version of Eric, but with the 'k' so it looks foreign enough.
Signs are not looking good.
Posted by: blacksquare Aug 9 2019, 11:08 AM
What did the gays do to deserve Will Ferrell writing and starring in a Eurovision film?
Posted by: 5 Silas Frøkner Aug 9 2019, 09:42 PM
Everyone involved in this should be locked in a deep dark bunker in The Hague for crimes against humanity.
Posted by: WhoOdyssey Aug 21 2019, 01:23 PM
https://variety.com/2019/film/news/demi-lovato-will-ferrell-eurovision-netflix-1203308782/
Demi Lovato and Dan Stevens have now joined the cast.
Lovato will play Katiana, “one of the best and most angelic singers in all of Iceland". (will need a lot of acting for that role then x)
Stevens will play Alexander Lemtov, a Russian contestant.
Posted by: *Tim Aug 21 2019, 02:21 PM
wtf is this gonna be. This has to be one of the worst ideas ever.
Watch this turn Eurovision into a laughing stock to the GP :')
Posted by: WhoOdyssey Mar 18 2020, 09:07 PM
This has to be good now. Please
Filming wrapped earlier this year, so Netflix would be wise to try and release it in May if it's ready!
Posted by: WhoOdyssey May 14 2020, 11:10 PM
Looks like the full title is "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Sag" - I expect it'll release soon!
There's a song "Volcano Man" out today:
Posted by: J🐠hq May 16 2020, 11:10 AM
Been given a June 26th release date. Strange that it's being released just over a month after the scheduled date of the contest and isn't capitalising on the buzz with the shows taking place this week.
Posted by: WhoOdyssey May 16 2020, 02:30 PM
The soundtrack has also been confirmed for June 26th - I'm actually really looking forward to this!
Posted by: WhoOdyssey May 17 2020, 10:49 AM
A video for 'Volcano Man' has been released:
Posted by: WhoOdyssey May 21 2020, 11:07 AM
Graham Norton has been confirmed to appear, playing a Eurovision commentator!
Posted by: J🐠hq Jun 11 2020, 02:31 PM
The trailer has dropped!
I'm not a fan of "Volcano Man" but the trailer hasn't really given me anything to hate on so I'll wait and see
Posted by: WhoOdyssey Jun 11 2020, 02:36 PM
Yeah it looks promising!
Posted by: ChromAddy!ca Jun 12 2020, 05:43 AM
Looks terrible lmao from their looks to their accents etc. etc. you count them!!!
Posted by: Herbs Jun 12 2020, 06:37 AM
This comes out a week before my birthday. Going to see what reviews are like before I arrange a viewing party!!!!
Posted by: Quarantilas Jun 24 2020, 02:25 PM
I'm not a fan of "Volcano Man" but the trailer hasn't really given me anything to hate on so I'll wait and see
This, in a year without Eurovision, is an act of terrorism by the United States.
What on earth about this shit show gives the impression that it will make you laugh even once. Trailers are supposed to show the peak of the movie the best bits. If that is the case then the remaining 2 hours of this so bad it’s creators should on trial for crimes against humanity. The sooner Will Ferrels “career” ends, the better for the entire planet
Posted by: diva thin muffin Jun 24 2020, 02:36 PM
While I agree the trailer doesn't look great, I disagree that trailers should show the best / funniest bits or the peak of the movie. I HATE when a movie spoils its best scenes in the trailer and you've seen them all once you watch the movie lol. The trailer should IMO capture the feeling of the movie and show some good scenes but leave the best ones to be discovered during viewing. Why bother watching a movie if you've already seen the best parts?
Posted by: Cameron Jun 26 2020, 08:36 PM
Oh My. THAT final song in this film is GORGEOUS!
I actually enjoyed this, especially with all the cameos!
Posted by: Klumzee Jun 26 2020, 10:44 PM
I went in sceptical but I really enjoyed this! You can tell Will Ferrell has come to this as a fan rather than to make fun of the contest. I enjoyed that we got to experience a national final, semi final as well as the big final as well as other contestants performances to really conjure up the world of Eurovision.
There were much bigger names than I expected to appear in this and it was great to see so many former Eurovision contestants cameo in this (the song-along song *.*) although having 'Amar pelos Dois' playing over a montage of Edinburgh was an interesting choice Also the fact that some talented singers and songwriters are behind some of the songs was also a great move as they were able to capture some of the odd moments and lyrics the contest produces but in cleverly written well-produced songs.
I do think it may struggle to gain the attention of a wider audience as there aren't really many laugh out loud moments and most of the humour comes from having a knowledge of what the film is parodying. I'd imagine it will be a bit of a cult hit as I think it will be favourable with the Eurovision fanbase at least as it's a brilliant tribute to the wackiness and magic that the contest produces.
Posted by: Slick Jun 27 2020, 03:03 PM
I thought this was really underwhelming. I expected a piss-take, but I actually found that it is a film which seems to really like and appreciate Eurovision and makes the contest the star of the show (e.g. the song-a-long scene.) That approach jars with me because it was still a bit flat with a flimsy plot and all of the funny moments are in the trailer.
Posted by: Jonjo Jun 27 2020, 07:25 PM
There were much bigger names than I expected to appear in this and it was great to see so many former Eurovision contestants cameo in this (the song-along song *.*) although having 'Amar pelos Dois' playing over a montage of Edinburgh was an interesting choice
Also the fact that some talented singers and songwriters are behind some of the songs was also a great move as they were able to capture some of the odd moments and lyrics the contest produces but in cleverly written well-produced songs. I do think it may struggle to gain the attention of a wider audience as there aren't really many laugh out loud moments and most of the humour comes from having a knowledge of what the film is parodying. I'd imagine it will be a bit of a cult hit as I think it will be favourable with the Eurovision fanbase at least as it's a brilliant tribute to the wackiness and magic that the contest produces.
Would've liked something a bit more inspired and original, but this does ok enough.The SONG-ALONG scene... MY GOD! WHAT A MOMENT! I REALLY NEED LORQUEEN'S SOLO VERSION OF BELIEVE IN MY LIFE!!
Overall, it's a film that on paper doesn't feel like it should work, but it actually, rather surprisingly, does.
I gave it 3 and a half (out of 5) on my Letterboxd!
Posted by: Esmerelda Jun 27 2020, 08:12 PM
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would.
Posted by: Tangela Jun 28 2020, 12:01 AM
I mean, who wouldn't want to see Regina George and Ron Burgundy duet at Eurovision?
But... how didn't Belarus qualify for the final, and what on earth was going on with the semi final results? Also Russia would only be favourites with that song in an incredibly poor year. Or I'd be appalled 
On one hand I found this atrociously bad, on the other hand I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Posted by: Jonjo Jun 28 2020, 12:24 AM
This is honestly one of my favourite scenes of the year!
It was just... *chef's kiss*
Posted by: Jester Jun 28 2020, 07:30 AM
It was ok - so many inconsistencies though (did the UK win the year before as Edinburgh are hosting, if so they why does the Russian guy say ignore the UK, no-one votes for them?).
Loved the sing a long bit though, and the sings were authentic Eurovision.
Posted by: n'tAlice Jun 28 2020, 08:00 AM
Okay this was pretty amazing. So many funny OTT details that an experienced Eurovision fan would appreciate!
Posted by: Esmerelda Jun 28 2020, 09:27 AM
It was just... *chef's kiss*
I completely failed to identify Anna Odobescu in this scene- kept trying to figure out who she was
Posted by: Klumzee Jun 28 2020, 10:50 AM
Loved the sing a long bit though, and the sings were authentic Eurovision.
They just wanted somewhere nice to film that the Americans would love! Although I believe the arena is actually in Glasgow iirc? Also the hosts definitely weren't from the UK, I was kind of able to gloss over those moments in aid of the story line.
Also the Russia song is a low-key bop and I shouldn't be loving it
Posted by: Cameron Jun 28 2020, 11:23 AM
Yeah the Arena was the SSE Hydro in Glasgow. The very place Jojo Siwa sold out x
Posted by: ChromAddy!ca Jun 28 2020, 12:42 PM
Greek and Sweden songs were so out of touch!!!!
I was like Sweden will never send something like that
Posted by: Jonjo Jun 28 2020, 02:40 PM
Honestly, I'm just trying to process Rachel McAdams and Loreen in the same scene together, let alone NEXT to each other 
Also, the Tiësto's Euro 90s Tribute Remix of 'Double Trouble' genuinely SLAPS
Posted by: Brett-Butler Jun 28 2020, 05:11 PM
I did notice that, but I believe the makers were able to get grants from the Scottish Film industry to film in Edinburgh, hence why that's where the final was. I believe it's also the reason why Fire Saga are Icelandic as they got funding from Iceland to film it there - I don't think the story would've been too much different if they were from any other country that takes part, bar the ex-Soviet ones & Australia.
Anyway, I thought it was a nice tribute to Eurovision, parodying it whilst not stooping to the level of mockery, a bit corny in places and the storyline was highly predictable, but some great set-pieces and great fun.
Posted by: WhoOdyssey Jun 28 2020, 08:54 PM
I loved it! It was quite bizarre seeing Anteros appearing with one of their own songs as The Wonder Four
Posted by: LJ JORD 7 Jun 29 2020, 01:21 AM
I didn’t expect much off this yet I actually really enjoyed it
It’s cheesy but funny and the music is actually really quite catchy! One of the better Will Ferrell films for sure although Rachel was my reason for watching this. I think their accents were rather good. I did kinda think hmm at the final being in Scotland yet the scene with nobody votes for the UK
It’s ironic as well how Iceland were the actual favourites for Eurovision in 2020!
Posted by: Juranamo Jun 29 2020, 07:47 AM
Echoing what most people seem to be saying about this: it's a really nice tribute to the contest. Despite being a bit limp comedy-wise, it's so heart-warming that I can easily look past that!
Audience reception seems to be much better than what the savage reviews alot of critics have given it, so that's a positive.
'Double Trouble' is a BANGER!
Posted by: n'tAlice Jun 29 2020, 09:30 AM
I was like Sweden will never send something like that
Except Sweden would totally send that! They are in love with young hip hop males and one day one of these will win
Posted by: diva thin muffin Jun 29 2020, 10:39 AM
Salvador Sobral appearing in a movie like this after everything he's said lmao. He's such a hypocrite I can't
Also Jessy Matador looks rrreally good in that song-a-long but I had no idea it was him until yesterday.
Genuinely liked this movie a LOT more than I expected to. Iceland being the MVPs of Eurovision 2020 in so many ways ugh
Posted by: WhoOdyssey Jun 29 2020, 10:46 AM
It's interesting to read the comments now it's out, compared with the reactions when the thread was first made in 2018
Posted by: Vülker Jun 29 2020, 03:23 PM
His busking scene was so odd and out of place I can't help but wonder if he was invited to do the Song-Along but refused to take part if he didn't sing his own song.
I actually enjoyed the movie far more than I anticipated. Some of the inconsistencies are hard to swallow (Eastern European hosts in a contest hosted by Edinburgh? The SSE Arena?? Voting in the Semi-Final???) and some of the comedy is just not funny (some scenes are overly long and there's no real pay-off) but it's still a charming little movie with some eye-catching numbers and truly memorable songs! I'd say it's a Will Ferrell musical rather than a comedy, a solid 3.5/5.
Also Rachel McAdams is obviously great and she did an amazing job here but I wish he'd call on Kristen Wiig to play Sigrid, she would've elevated that role so much.
Posted by: WhoOdyssey Jun 29 2020, 03:32 PM
It did make me wonder if Graham Norton would still do his witty commentary if we were hosting it?
Posted by: Brett-Butler Jun 29 2020, 05:52 PM
I think he'd end up hosting it, but not provide the commentary & pass it over to Rylan or someone else. Although it's very much a moot point, as I can't see the UK winning it whilst Graham Norton is the commentator.
Posted by: Esmerelda Jun 29 2020, 11:16 PM
It's been a while but I think Wogan hosted and commented back in 1998. Might be more difficult nowadays though!
Posted by: BillyH Jun 30 2020, 09:04 AM
Ulrika Johnsson was on stage during the bits when Wogan was commentating, mostly the voting. Terry appeared at the start, middle and end of the show, and of course there was no "green room" host then, just a few cameras pointing at the contestants every now and again.
Norton's approaching 60 which would normally perhaps be seen as too old for a presenter, but he's so well known around the world from his chat show they'd still have him host I presume - probably him, Rylan and a female co-presenter (Mel?). Wogan was 59 when he hosted.
Posted by: diva thin muffin Jun 30 2020, 10:14 AM
They're playing Ja Ja Ding Dong on the radio here and it's already in 11th place on Spotify here (Husavik being #2 on Spotify, Double Trouble at #18 and Volcano Man #37 lmao). Iceland is such an oddity when it comes to Eurovision
What I enjoyed most about this movie is that there were a LOT of jokes in it that probably only Icelanders will understand
Posted by: Jonjo Jun 30 2020, 06:32 PM
I want/need full 3 min versions of 'Running With the Wolves', 'Volcano Man' & 'Jaja Ding Dong'
Posted by: *Tim Jun 30 2020, 07:24 PM
I STAN that Demi song
Posted by: Cameron Jul 1 2020, 10:40 PM
Posted by: *Tim Jul 2 2020, 11:14 AM
I'm assuming this hasn't been released in Russia????
Posted by: n'tAlice Jul 2 2020, 12:20 PM
ass+u+me x
it's been in the Top 3 of most watched Netflix things ever since the release last week.
Posted by: Jacob 😮 Jul 2 2020, 07:23 PM
Watched this and it was actually better than expected. Pretty entertaining. The comedy wasn't always great, though I did appreciate some of it and Husavik actually blew me away a little bit.
Posted by: *Tim Jul 2 2020, 10:41 PM
it's been in the Top 3 of most watched Netflix things ever since the release last week.
Homophobes lost
Posted by: n'tAlice Jul 3 2020, 10:33 AM
Eurovision is pretty popular here so I'm not surprised really.
Posted by: *Tim Jul 3 2020, 02:44 PM
Well I was lowkey assuming this because of the Russian gay in the closet and the small yet big digs at the government that it'd rub Ms Putin the wrong way. Not quite a China tea it seems
Posted by: n'tAlice Jul 3 2020, 02:50 PM
Nahhh, they haven't really touched Netflix yet. I mean we have RPDR in its entirety as well as all the other TV shows and films with queer representation available. Netflix is not very popular with the older people for obvious reasons like the language (barely anything is dubbed and no one likes subtitles) and they are the ones who usually kickstart all the shit like banning websites and shows :') But I do think that Glee was heavily censored when it was on TV over here.
Posted by: Chez Wombat Jul 3 2020, 11:41 PM
My brother was an extra in this in the crowd scenes for Greece's semi final performance (but I don't think his part made it in, I was focusing ) and my sister worked a day on this, that was the main reason I watched it as these musical films are very rarely my thing.
I was pleasantly surprised though, mainly cos I was expecting some terrible, borderline offensive piss-take but actually it was more a tribute than a parody and was clearly written by fans of the contest. They really got the aesthetic and vibe spot on (I wasn't expecting so many cameos!). It was a bit overlong and the story was pretty predictable as well as ridiculous I refuse to believe not a single person would've told Lars or his dad he qualified before making it back to Iceland! but I know with these type of films that's not always important, and the songs were generally pretty good (Belarus' entry would've definitely fitted better as Finland though, odd as they were clearly satirising Lordi).
Far from perfect, but I've been missing Eurovision this year, so this was pretty satisfying as an alternative.
Posted by: Addy!os Nov 25 2020, 06:37 AM
The Grammy nominee smash *_* 
Powered by Invision Power Board
© Invision Power Services