Exploring the Complexities of the Series Chewing Gum

A Comprehensive Overview of the Series "Chewing Gum": A Complex and Challenging Teen Drama

On October 16, the Premier platform premiered the new Russian television series titled "Chewing Gum". This eight-part drama, helmed by director Alexander Tsoy, endeavors to immerse viewers in a world rife with adolescent dilemmas, shattered emotions, and intricate relationships.

Project Highlights

• Genre: Drama, Youth Film
• Director: Alexander Tsoy
• Number of Episodes: 8
• Duration of Each Episode: 45-50 minutes
• Country of Production: Russia
• Age Rating: 18+

"Chewing Gum" chronicles the lives of teenagers filled with hopes, conflicts, and reckless decisions that often lead to unforeseen outcomes.

The Plot

The story centers around Galia Shalamova, a girl hailing from an orphanage who aspires to enroll in a screenwriting program at VGIK (the All-Russian State University of Cinematography). Galia yearns for liberation from the dreary confines of the orphanage, but her life takes an unexpected turn upon witnessing a live stream by the eccentric blogger Hans Shmyuz, who revels in making provocative statements for the sake of notoriety. Convincing herself that she and Hans share a profound bond, Galia becomes infatuated with him.

As fate would have it, a spontaneous meeting leads to a romance. However, what is Galia’s first love becomes nothing more than a fleeting romance for Hans, who quickly grows disillusioned and decides to terminate their relationship in an absurd way by asking his friends to inform Galia of his death.

Rather than accept this reality, Galia embarks on an investigation of Hans’s supposed death, determined to unearth the truth and seek justice for what she perceives as a betrayal.

Character Breakdown

Galia Shalamova (Dar’ya Balabanova)
An orphan, Galia is a naive young girl whose inner universe has been shaped by her tumultuous past. She aspires to be a screenwriter while battling the demons of her history, including her mother, who has recently been released from prison, and an aggressive boyfriend from whom she struggles to break free.

Hans Shmyuz (Anton Rogachev)
A blogger with a modest following of 5,000 subscribers, Hans is willing to engage in ludicrous antics for likes and attention. A quintessential example of the privileged youth, Hans's father is a producer, and he often finds himself neglected by his parents while his younger sister battles serious health issues.

Kirill (Anton Artyemyev)
Galia's abrasive and irrational boyfriend, whose solutions to problems resort to violence. Kirill makes a living through criminal activities and yearns for a rich life abroad.

Misha Yelchev (Pavel Maslakov)
Hans’s friend, Misha is distinguished by his more humane approach towards Galia, contrasting with the attitudes of the others.

Vera (Marusya Furina)
Another friend of Hans, Vera harbors feelings for him but realizes that serious relationships are not in the cards with someone like him.

Impressions of the Series

Storyline and Genre

The narrative weaves a tapestry of adolescent drama combined with ironic commentary on contemporary society. The series broaches themes like first love, cruelty, misunderstanding, and the overall absurdity of life’s choices. The characters often come off as immature or illogical, underscoring their youthful folly and inexperience.

Progression through the storyline can feel sluggish at times, drawing viewers away. While the initial episode boasts a brisk pace, subsequent installments tend to lose that momentum, circulating in a slow whirlpool of events.

Characters and Atmosphere

A significant drawback of "Chewing Gum" is its cast of characters. Viewers may struggle to empathize with any of the individuals presented. Galia appears excessively naive, while Hans embodies cynicism. Other characters either come across as caricatures or are relegated to the background, lacking significance.

Acting Performances

Despite the script's shortcomings, the cast endeavors to deliver commendable performances. Both Dar’ya Balabanova and Anton Rogachev, known from previous roles, manage to project a degree of acceptability in their portrayals, providing glimpses of depth amid the narrative’s flaws.

Visual Elements

On a positive note, the series boasts a visually appealing aesthetic. The cinematography captures the ambience of various scenes, presenting an assortment of settings from shopping malls and apartments to urban streets and desolate buildings, enhancing the viewing experience.

Ending

Would I recommend this series? Probably not. There are far too many cons to justify the investment of your time.