Exploring 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!' and 90s Youth

The recently released series by Ilya Aksenov, "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" available on the streaming platform Premier, offers more than just a coming-of-age narrative set in the 1990s. This work is a vivid journey back to a unique period in Russia, showcasing life through the lens of teenagers living in a small provincial town. Aksenov masterfully intertwines nostalgia, tragedy, and humor to paint a rich, multifaceted picture of the era marked by the initial stages of capital accumulation.

Teenage Life Amid Social Upheaval

Set against the backdrop of Tula Oblast in 1993, the story follows a group of school amigos: Sanyka, Vovka, Ilya, and the fiery-haired Zhenya. They spend their days hanging out behind garages, on the rooftops of towering apartment buildings, all the while dreaming about a brighter tomorrow while grappling with the universal woes of adolescence.

Hormonal eruptions, abandoned musical aspirations, and first loves blend seamlessly with the harsh realities faced within their families and the world around them.

Sanyka’s family exemplifies how various generations navigated turbulent changes. His mother is a market trader selling Turkish linens, while his father is a college professor who feels adrift in the whirlwind of societal transformations. Adding depth to the narrative is Uncle Alik, an Afghan war veteran plagued by post-traumatic stress disorder. His nighttime struggles to control reckless impulses, illustrated through symbolic scenes such as being bound to a radiator with handcuffs, act as a metaphor for the internal battles haunting an entire nation.

Transitioning from Adolescence to National Identity

One of the series’ most distinctive features lies in the parallel between the characters' maturation processes and the 'coming of age' of Russia itself. The 1990s—a time marked by initial capital accumulation—are not portrayed through the conventional lenses of crime and glamour. Instead, we see crumbling courtyards, derelict factories, and the obliviousness of youth.

This approach sets Aksenov's project apart from other cinematic representations of the 90s, such as Kantemir Balagov's "Tightness" or Boris Akopov's "Bull." There are no exaggerated dramatizations or romanticized depictions of these years. Rather, it offers a candid perspective, reminding viewers that even amidst social upheaval, young people continue to experience the poignant trials of youth.

Cinematic Style and Performance

Ilya Aksenov, who previously worked in the genre of guerrilla cinema and created independent projects, further develops his unique filmmaking style in "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" He prioritizes acting skills and character dynamics over visual spectacle. Nevertheless, Alexey Filippov's cinematographic work deserves special recognition. The wide-format shots infused with elements of wild provincial nature transform Russia's countryside into a parallel for the Wild West.

Notable performances include Stepan Devoinin as Sanyka's father, whose portrayal of an intellectual teacher secretly crafting a novel while being forced to sell at the market is both sympathetic and admirable. Yuri Borisov's performance as Uncle Alik and Nikita Pavlenko also illustrate profound character development and emotional depth.

Adolescence Amid Violence and Dreams

The title of the series might suggest a light-hearted premise, yet "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" delves deeper to articulate a teenage epoch marked by fear and discovery. Right from the first episode, a symbol of the era makes its debut—a black BMW, embodying violence and the criminal underbelly. However, the series deftly balances elements of dark comedy, drama, and the coming-of-age narrative, allowing viewers the breathing space to interpret the storylines on their own.

Final Thoughts

"Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" transcends being merely another 90s television series. It is a nuanced and profound work that, through the experiences of its youthful protagonists, illuminates Russia during one of its most significant transformations. By weaving together threads of tragedy, humor, and nostalgia, Ilya Aksenov crafts a piece that is as entertaining as it is poignant, prompting reflections on how both personal and societal maturation is invariably intertwined with pain and profound revelations.