Exploring 90s Adolescence in 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'
The series by Ilya Aksenov, "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!", recently released on the streaming service Premier, is not merely a narrative about growing up in the 1990s. It encapsulates an entire voyage into a unique epoch in Russia, expertly portrayed through the lens of the lives of teenagers in a small provincial town. This project interweaves nostalgia, tragedy, and humor, crafting a rich and multi-layered tapestry of the early years of capital accumulation in Russia.
Teenage Life Amidst Social Transformations
Set against the backdrop of the year 1993, in the Tula region, the series follows a group of school children: Sanka, Vovka, Ilya, and the red-haired Zhenya. They navigate their days lurking behind garages, scaling the rooftops of high-rise buildings, all while dreaming of a brighter future, yet grappling with the typical tribulations that accompany adolescence. Hormonal upheavals, abandoned musical instruments, and budding romances intertwine with the stark realities of their familial situations and their social environment.
Sanka's family serves as a vivid illustration of how varied generations coped with the flux of change. His mother sells Turkish linens in the market, while his father, a university lecturer, struggles to find his footing amid the whirlwind of societal shifts. A colorful character, Uncle Alik, a veteran of the Afghan war, wrestles with post-traumatic stress disorder. His nighttime battle against reckless impulses—illustrated through scenes of him handcuffed to a radiator—serves as a powerful metaphor for a broader struggle against internal demons that seem to haunt the entire nation.
From Puberty to the Nation's Growing Pains
One of the striking elements of this series is the parallel it draws between the maturation of its characters and the "growing up" of Russia itself. The 1990s, an era marked by initial capital accumulation, is depicted not through the usual glamorized or criminal tropes, but through dusty courtyards, shuttered factories, and youthful oblivion.
This approach distinguishes Aksenov's work from other cinematic portrayals of the 90s, such as Kantemir Balagov's "Tightness" or Boris Akopov's "Bull." In this series, there is no excessive dramatization nor an attempt to romanticize that tumultuous period. Instead, we see an honest and refreshing perspective reminding us that even amidst social catastrophes, adolescents remain quintessentially adolescent.
Cinematic Style and Acting Performance
Ilya Aksenov, who has previously worked within the realm of guerrilla cinema and produced independent projects, continues to develop his distinctive style in "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" Here, he emphasizes the actors' performances and dynamics over visual splendor. Nevertheless, the cinematography by Alexey Filippov deserves a mention of its own; breathtaking wide-format shots infused with elements of rugged provincial nature transform the Russian countryside into its own Wild West.
Among the acting breakthroughs is Stepan Devonin, who plays Sanka's father. This character, an intelligent teacher secretly crafting a novel, finds himself pressed to sell alongside his wife at the market. Devonin evokes genuine empathy and respect. Yuri Borisov as Uncle Alik and Nikita Pavlenko also deliver nuanced portrayals of their roles, enriching the overall depth of the narrative.
Adolescent Era of Violence and Dreams
The title of the series might initially convey a deceptively lighthearted tone. Yet, "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" delves into an adolescent world where fear and self-discoveries walk hand in hand. From the very first episode, a symbol of the era emerges in the form of a black BMW, embodying violence and the criminal underbelly. Yet the series maintains a delicate balance between dark comedy, drama, and coming-of-age themes, allowing the audience to interpret the narrative arcs in their own way.
Concluding Thoughts
"Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" transcends being just another series about the 90s. It represents a nuanced and profound exploration that, through the imagery of youth, reveals the country during one of its most significant transformation periods. By blending tragedy, humor, and nostalgia, Ilya Aksenov creates a work that simultaneously entertains, resonates deeply, and prompts reflection on how both personal and societal coming-of-age experiences are invariably marked by pain and revelations.