Exploring the Depths of the Teen Drama 'Chewing Gum'

On October 16th, the platform Premier launched the much-anticipated new Russian series titled "Chewing Gum". This eight-episode coming-of-age drama is directed by Alexander Tsoy and invites viewers to immerse themselves in the turbulent world of youth challenges, disillusioned feelings, and complex relationships.

Project Essentials

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

The narrative of "Chewing Gum" revolves around the lives of teenagers bursting with dreams, conflicts, and reckless decisions that can lead to unexpected consequences.

Plot Synopsis

At the heart of the story is Galia Shalamova, a girl from an orphanage striving to gain admission to the scriptwriting department at VGIK (the Russian State Institute of Cinematography). Galia harbors dreams of freedom from the oppressive confines of her orphanage. Her life takes a drastic turn after watching a livestream of the eccentric blogger Hans Shmuze, who makes provocative statements to gain popularity. Galia believes that she and Hans share a deep, soulful connection.

After a chance encounter, a romance blooms between the two. However, what is Galia's first love turns out to be just a fleeting fling for Hans. He quickly becomes disillusioned with her and decides to end their relationship in an absurd way: he instructs his friends to falsely inform Galia that he has been killed.

Rather than accepting this bizarre news, Galia embarks on her own "investigation" into Hans's supposed death, driven by the need to uncover the truth and seek retribution against those responsible.

Characters

• Galia Shalamova (played by Darya Balabanova)
  A naive orphan shaped by her challenging past. Galia aspires to be a screenwriter, yet she is haunted by memories of her mother, who has just been released from prison, and an aggressive boyfriend she can't seem to escape.
• Hans Shmuze (played by Anton Rogachev)
  A blogger with 5,000 followers, Hans will resort to ridiculous antics for likes and attention. He represents a typical privileged youth whose father is a producer; meanwhile, his parents are largely indifferent, and his younger sister suffers from a serious illness.
• Kirill (played by Anton Artemyev)
  Galia's rude and unstable boyfriend, whose approach to problem-solving often resorts to violence. Kirill leads a life filled with criminal endeavors and dreams of a luxurious future abroad.
• Misha Yelchev (played by Pavel Maslakov)
  Hans's friend, who stands out from the group due to his more humane attitude towards Galia.
• Vera (played by Marusya Furina)
  Another friend of Hans, she harbors feelings for him but realizes that serious commitment is unlikely from his side.

Impressions of the Series

Storyline and Genre

The plot blends teenage drama with an ironic commentary on contemporary society. The series addresses themes of first love, cruelty, misunderstanding, and senseless choices. The characters often come across as infantile and illogical, reflecting their youth and inexperience.

The narrative unfolds at a sluggish pace, occasionally failing to captivate the viewer. While the first episode presents a lively tempo, the momentum dwindles as the series progresses.

Characters and Atmosphere

One notable drawback is that none of the characters elicit empathy from the audience. Galia appears overly naive, while Hans embodies cynicism. The supporting cast often seems either caricatured or secondary.

Acting Performance

Despite the subpar script, the cast puts forth commendable performances. Darya Balabanova and Anton Rogachev, who take on the lead roles, are recognized from other projects, and their acting remains satisfactory.

Visual Composition

The series impresses visually, with cinematography that captures the essence of each scene. The locations range widely, from shopping malls and apartments to streets and abandoned buildings, enhancing the viewing experience.

Culmination

"Chewing Gum" is a project that is likely to attract a teen audience but may not resonate well with adult viewers. A simplistic plot, unlikeable characters, and questionable dramatic devices mark this series as polarizing. If you're a fan of light dramas with straightforward conflicts, you might find some enjoyment here. However, for those in search of deeper, more engaging narratives, "Chewing Gum" may not deliver any revelations.

Would I recommend this series? Unfortunately, my answer leans towards a no. There are just too many drawbacks that make it hard to justify spending time on it.