How 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!' Reflects '90s Nostalgia

Contemporary television often gazes back into the past, crafting series that evoke nostalgia while inviting us to rethink bygone eras. One striking example of this phenomenon is Ilya Aksenov's series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" which draws vivid parallels with the American hit "Stranger Things," but distinctly focuses on the Russian experience. In this exploration, we will dissect how this project, seen through the lens of '90s romanticism, narrates the coming-of-age story of a generation shaped amid the ruins of the Soviet Union.

Where Does Nostalgia Come From?

For millennials, the '90s conjure memories of a tumultuous shift from Soviet stability to rampant capitalism. This decade was not just marked by economic upheaval, but also witnessed an extraordinary cultural renaissance. The allure of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" lies in its ability to present this complex era through the eyes of teenagers navigating rooftops, bustling markets, and VHS tapes.

While "Stranger Things" brilliantly captures the essence of the American '80s, this series immerses viewers in the chaotic yet liberating landscape of the Russian '90s. Each element of the show—from the set designs and soundtracks to the intricate storylines—reflects this unique balance.

Plot: Teen Adventures in a Criminal Reality

At the heart of the narrative are four teenagers: Sanya, Vovka, Ilya, and Zhenya. Their circle, dubbed the "Brotherhood of the Roof," becomes embroiled in conflicts that echo the zeitgeist of their time. On one front, they face off against local bullies; on another, they are caught up in the rivalry between two criminal factions: Afghanistan veterans and the Caucasian mafia. This storyline allows for an exploration of the '90s atmosphere through the lens of youthful, untainted emotions, devoid of adult cynicism.

What’s particularly engaging is how these teens navigate their external struggles while grappling with personal feelings and family dynamics. For instance, Sanya's mother juggles household responsibilities while haunted by memories of a difficult marriage; her grandfather promotes a cult of strength, while Sanya's father, a weak-willed writer, struggles to cope with the challenges of their times.

Inspiration Drawn from the Past

The comparisons with "Stranger Things" are undeniable: a group of friends battling dangers, pulling the audience into a specific historical context. However, rather than delving into fantasy, "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" presents viewers with very real threats familiar to the post-Soviet audience. Instead of monsters from parallel dimensions, we have “wolves” and “bulls”—criminals whose images encapsulate the gritty romanticism of that period.

The visual elements of the series are worthy of acclaim. Flashbacks are styled to mimic rewinding a video cassette, and conflict scenes unfold in long, continuous takes, creating a palpable sense of presence. One particularly memorable scene involving the devastation of a market resonates with a similar moment from the film "The Bull."

The Culture of the '90s in Detail

The set design and props meticulously convey the aesthetics of the era:

• Flea markets: with boiled jeans and baseball caps reading "USA California."
• Pop culture: the walls of the characters’ homes adorned with posters of Sylvester Stallone and clips from the film "Kickboxer."
• Gaming nostalgia: the Dendy console brings back memories of playing "Street Fighter," highlighting the popularity of pirated copies of Western games.

The musical score harmoniously blends hits from that era (Dr. Alban, Irina Allegrova, Haddaway) with contemporary revisionist covers, like Sirotkin's rendition of "Breath" from Nautilus Pompilius.

Gender Dynamics and Toxic Masculinity

Interestingly, despite the strong female characters, including Zhenya, Sanya's mother, and Alika's girlfriend, the series paints a portrait of a patriarchal culture. Women must fight for their place in a world still adhering to the codes of the "wild '90s." However, the portrayal of female characters enriches the narrative, reminding us that the transformative era impacted everyone.

Why "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" Matters

This series is not only a masterful recreation of the '90s atmosphere but also a reflection that reinterprets that past through today’s lens. It successfully navigates the line between entertainment and cultural commentary, illustrating how the millennial generation, raised amid chaos, forged its own set of values.

Moreover, "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" serves as a dialogue between past and present, connecting viewers of different generations, much like the finest works of art that resonate through time.