Exploring 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!' in the 90s
The series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!", created by Ilya Aksenov and recently available on the streaming platform Premier, is more than just a tale of growing up in the 1990s. It serves as a vividly crafted portal into a distinctive period in Russia, encapsulated through the experiences of adolescents in a small provincial town. This project weaves together nostalgia, tragedy, and humor, forming a rich tapestry that vividly portrays the era of initial capital accumulation in the country.
Teenage Life Amidst Social Changes
Set in 1993 in the Tula region, the narrative follows the lives of schoolmates Sanka, Vovka, Ilya, and the red-haired Zhenya. These characters spend their days lingering in garages and atop apartment buildings, dreaming of futures full of promise while grappling with the everyday challenges of adolescence. Hormonal turmoil strikes, abandoned musical instruments echo, and the stirrings of first love intertwine with the harsh realities of their familial and social environments.
Sanka's family epitomizes the struggles of various generations coping with transformation. His mother operates a bustling market stall selling Turkish lingerie, while his father, a university lecturer, appears lost in the whirlwind of sociopolitical upheaval. Another prominent figure in the storyline is Uncle Alik, a veteran of the Afghan war, burdened with the weight of post-traumatic stress. His nightly battles to resist reckless actions and the haunting imagery of him handcuffed to a radiator serve as a poignant metaphor for the deep internal conflicts that seem to plague the entire nation.
From Puberty to the Nation's Puberty
What sets this series apart is the striking parallel drawn between the characters’ maturation and that of Russia itself. The 1990s—a time of raw capital influx—are presented through a lens that steers clear of clichéd depictions of gangs and glamour. Instead, we see dusty courtyards, deserted factories, and the fog of youthful ignorance permeating the air.
This unique perspective distinguishes Aksenov’s project from other cinematic ventures concerning the 90s, such as "Tightness" by Kantemir Balagov or "Bull" by Boris Akopov. There is neither undue dramatization nor an attempt to romanticize those tumultuous times. Instead, viewers are presented with a truthful and fresh interpretation, reminding us that even during societal catastrophe, the essence of youth remains unchanged.
Cinematic Style and Actor Performances
Ilya Aksenov, who has previously delved into the realm of guerrilla cinema and crafted independent works, continues to refine his distinctive style in "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" Here, he emphasizes the actors’ performances and character dynamics over visual extravagance. Nonetheless, the cinematography by Alexey Filippov deserves special mention; sweeping wide-angle shots infused with elements of wild provincial nature transform the vastness of rural Russia into a captivating parallel to the American Wild West.
One standout performance comes from Stepan Devoin, portraying Sanka’s father. His character—a cultured instructor secretly penning a novel while operating a market stall with his wife—evokes deep sympathy and respect. Yuri Borisov and Nikita Pavlenko, playing Uncle Alik and his friends, respectively, also bring their characters to life with remarkable depth and complexity.
The Teenage Era of Violence and Dreams
Despite its seemingly lighthearted title, "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" delves into a teenage era defined by fear and self-discovery. Right from the first episode, the iconic black BMW emerges as a symbol of violence and the criminal underbelly. Yet, the series adeptly balances elements of dark comedy, drama, and the coming-of-age narrative, allowing viewers the freedom to interpret the storylines in their own unique ways.
Final Thoughts
"Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" is not merely another nostalgic glimpse into the 90s. It is a nuanced and profound piece of art through which Aksenov conveys the nation’s struggles during a time of significant transformation through the lens of its youth. By intertwining tragedy, comedy, and nostalgia, Ilya Aksenov crafts a work that entertains, resonates emotionally, and invites viewers to reflect on the dual nature of maturity—whether personal or societal—as it invariably comes hand in hand with pain and revelation.