Exploring 90s Nostalgia in *Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!*

Why Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum! is a Reflection of the 90s and Our Stranger Things

In recent years, contemporary television often revisits the golden eras of the past, crafting series that not only evoke nostalgia but also facilitate a reevaluation of historical moments. One standout example is Ilya Aksonov's series Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!, which serves as a brilliant lens through which viewers can explore the Russian realities of the 1990s. It draws compelling parallels to the iconic American hit Stranger Things, using a uniquely domestic approach. In this piece, we will delve into how this project reflects the romanticism of the nineties while encapsulating the formative years of a generation that rose from the ashes of the USSR.

The Roots of Nostalgia

For millennials, the 90s conjure up images of a tumultuous transition from the stable Soviet era to the wild chaos of capitalism. It was a time not just marked by economic uncertainty, but also by an astonishing cultural renaissance. The allure of Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum! lies in its ability to present this period through the eyes of teenagers wandering between rooftops, markets, and the flickering VHS tapes of the day.

While Stranger Things immerses us into the American 80s, Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum! immerses us in the Russian 90s, a time that was both liberating and anarchic. This delicate balance of freedom and disorder permeates every facet of the series — from its vibrant set designs and evocative music to the intricate narrative arcs woven throughout.

Plot: Teen Adventures Amidst Criminal Chaos

At the heart of the story, we find four teenagers: Sanka, Vovka, Ilya, and Zhenya, who form a tight-knit group cheekily referred to as the Brotherhood of the Rooftop. Their camaraderie draws them into a world of conflicts that capture the zeitgeist of their time. On one hand, they face off against local bullies, while on the other, they become entangled in the violent struggle between two criminal factions: the Afghan veterans and the Chechen mafia. This plotline offers a fresh perspective on the hazardous atmosphere of the 90s, viewed through the innocent yet vibrant experiences of youths untouched by adult cynicism.

Moreover, the series explores the inner turmoil of the characters as they grapple with their emotions and relationships with their parents. For instance, Sanka’s mother must manage a household while wrestling with haunting memories of a troubled marriage. Meanwhile, Sanka’s grandfather promotes a cult of toughness, and his father, a timid writer, struggles to confront the monumental challenges of their era.

Drawing Inspiration from the Past

The comparisons to Stranger Things are inevitable: a band of friends tackling dangers, effectively transporting the audience to a specific temporal setting. Yet, instead of fantastical threats, Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum! lays bare the all-too-real dangers familiar to the post-Soviet populace. Here there are no monsters from alternate dimensions, but there are 'wolves' and 'bulls'—the gangsters whose personas encapsulate the criminal romanticism of the decade.

The aesthetic choices of the series also deserve commendation. Flashbacks are cleverly constructed to mimic the rewinding of a videotape, while intense confrontation scenes are captured in long, unbroken takes, creating an immersive experience for viewers. A particularly impactful scene depicts the chaos of a market raid, evoking a reminiscent moment from the film Bull.

The Culture of the 90s in Detail

The production design and props meticulously encapsulate the aesthetic of this vibrant period:

• Flea markets: featuring boiled jeans and baseball caps emblazoned with "USA California."
• Pop culture: walls adorned with posters of Sylvester Stallone and scenes from the film Kickboxer.
• A Dendy gaming console: where characters indulge in Street Fighter, emphasizing the rise of pirated Western products.

The soundtrack dynamically blends hits of the era like Dr. Alban, Irina Allegrova, and Haddaway with contemporary reinterpretative covers, such as Sirotkin’s version of Nautilus Pompilius' “Breath.”

Gender and Toxic Masculinity

It’s noteworthy that, despite featuring strong female characters like Zhenya, Sanka's mother, and the girlfriend of Alik, the series remains a reflection of a patriarchal culture. These women must fight for their place within a realm dominated by male figures still adhering to the codes of the "wild 90s." However, the portrayal of these female characters infuses depth into the narrative, reminding viewers that the era of change affected everyone regardless of gender.

Why Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum! Matters

Not only does this series deftly recreate the ambiance of the 90s, but it also reinterprets its significance through the lens of present-day society. It serves as both an entertaining spectacle and a cultural exploration, illuminating how the millennial cohort, shaped by chaos, forged its value system amidst the storm.

Ultimately, Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum! acts as a dialogue bridging the past and the present—much like the finest works of art, it unites viewers across generational divides.