Exploring Teenage Life in 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'
The Series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" – A Journey into the Teenage Era of the 90s
The streaming series by Ilya Aksenov, titled "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!", recently launched on the Premier platform, transcends mere storytelling of adolescence during the 1990s. Instead, it serves as an immersive voyage into a remarkable epoch in Russia, skillfully portrayed through the lives of teenagers in a quaint provincial town. This narrative intertwines nostalgia, tragedies, and humor, crafting a rich and multi-layered depiction of the transformative period characterized by the initial accumulation of capital in Russia.
Teenage Life Amidst Social Changes
Set against the backdrop of the pivotal year 1993 in Tula Oblast, the series unfolds the everyday antics of its central characters – schoolboys Sanya, Vovka, Ilya, and the spirited redhead, Zhenya. Their escapades take place in settings as diverse as garages and multi-story rooftops where they dream about the future while wrestling with quintessential teenage dilemmas. Hormonal surges, neglected musical aspirations, and the sweet pangs of first love all converge with the stark realities of their family lives.
Sanya's family epitomizes the generational struggles faced during these tumultuous times; his mother engages in trade at the market selling Turkish lingerie, while his father, an institute lecturer, finds himself adrift in the storm of social upheaval. Another vividly drawn character is Uncle Alik, a veteran of the Afghanistan war, who grapples with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His valiant nightly battles to stave off reckless actions, scenes tied with handcuffs to the radiator, serve as poignant metaphors for the internal demons that seem to haunt the entire nation.
From Puberty to the Nation's Coming of Age
One of the standout features of the series is its striking parallelism between the characters' maturation and the broader "coming of age" of Russia itself. Instead of resorting to the clichéd portrayals of 90s gangsters or glamorous lifestyles, it reflects the reality through dusty courtyards, abandoned factories, and a teenager's hazy recollections.
This artistic direction distinguishes Aksenov's project from counterparts such as "Tightness" by Kantemir Balagov or "Bull" by Boris Akopov. It avoids excessive dramatization or romanticization of the period—favoring instead a fresh, honest perspective that reminds audiences that even in times of societal disasters, young people remain inherently youthful.
Cinematic Style and Acting Performances
Ilya Aksenov, known for his guerilla-cinema approach in previous independent projects, continues to develop his signature style. In "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!", he emphasizes the actors' performances and their on-screen chemistry over visual extravagance. Nonetheless, the cinematography by Alexey Filippov deserves special mention; the expansive shots intertwined with elements of rural Russian wilderness create a setting reminiscent of the Wild West.
Among the notable performances is that of Stepan Devonin, who portrays Sanya's father. His character—a cultured instructor who pens a novel in secret while concurrently selling goods alongside his wife at the market—evokes genuine sympathy and admiration. Yuri Borisov’s portrayal of Uncle Alik, alongside Nikita Pavlenko, reflects a meticulous exploration of character depths.
A Teenage Era of Violence and Dreams
Despite its seemingly lighthearted title, "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" encapsulates a teenage era where fear intertwines with discovery. Almost immediately, the series introduces a symbolic emblem of the age—a black BMW, which acts as a harbinger of violence and the criminal underworld. Yet, the series maintains a delicate balance between dark comedy, drama, and the formative adolescent experience, allowing viewers the freedom to interpret the diverse narrative threads.
Final Thoughts
"Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" is far more than just another series set in the 90s. It emerges as a profound and intricate work that, through the lens of youth, reveals the country's significant transformations during a tumultuous era. By intertwining elements of tragedy, humor, and nostalgia, Ilya Aksenov crafts a piece that entertains, touches hearts, and provokes contemplation on how growing up—whether personal or societal—almost invariably accompanies challenges and revelations.