Exploring the Clichés in the Russian Teen Drama 'Gum'

The Russian series "Gum" (2024), recently released on the Premier platform, is striving to carve its niche in the landscape of teen cinema. The creators are vocal about their ambitions, asserting that this project could serve as a fresh starting point for revitalizing youth-oriented shows. However, viewers and critics alike are raising red flags regarding its execution—from a clichéd storyline to a dubious approach in topic exploration. Let’s delve into what captivates and repels the audience in this contentious series.

Plot Overview: Love, Stalking, and Tragedy

At the core of the narrative is Galia Shalamova (portrayed by Daria Balabanova), a girl hailing from a Moscow region orphanage with dreams of enrolling in VGIK to become a scriptwriter. Her life is a rollercoaster of drama: dealing with an abusive relationship with her boyfriend Kirill (Anton Artemyev), the upcoming release of her mother (Yulia Volkova) from prison, and a staggering absence of support or sincere human connection.

Galia stumbles upon a livestream by popular blogger Roma (Anton Rogachev), who goes by the moniker Hans Shmyuze. He’s everything she’s never known: the epitome of freedom, ease, and carefreeness, coming from a wealthy background. Enamored by Roma, Galia starts building naive fantasies about a joyful future with him.

However, what begins as a romantic encounter quickly spirals into a lopsided infatuation. In an attempt to impress, Galia fabricates stories about her life, while Roma approaches their relationship as mere playful flirting. When he stages a fake death as a prank, it becomes a catalyst for tragedy. Convinced that her beloved has perished, Galia embarks on a quest to find and confront his so-called "murderer."

Central Themes: Surface-Level or Relevant?

The series touches upon several themes that, at first glance, seem relevant and important to today’s youth. Yet, the depth of their exploration leaves much to be desired.

1. Love and Stalking

Galia's transformation from an innocent dreamer to a reluctant stalker is executed in a manner that seems less about genuine emotion and more like an unhealthy obsession. Romantically, Roma's behavior—filled with deceit and manipulation—exemplifies a typical toxic dynamic.

2. Bullying and Toxic Environments

Abuse permeates not only Galia's relationship with Kirill but also her broader interactions with society. With bullying in the orphanage and mockery from the so-called "golden youth," the atmosphere remains stifling.

3. Parent-Child Dynamics

Despite being materially affluent, Roma's family is disconnected and cold. His mother is lost in her own issues, his father is wholly absorbed in his profession, and his sick sister lives in the shadows. On the flip side, Galia has no parental support: her mother has just been released from prison, and her father is scarcely mentioned.

4. The Impact of Social Media

Roma embodies the modern trend of influencers showcasing a curated version of their lives, concealing deeper struggles. His entourage perpetuates this illusion, even participating in the faux death event. While intended to demonstrate social media's influence on adolescents, the series offers only a superficial take.

Characters: An Attempt at Complexity

The creators aimed to craft layered, flawed characters. Yet, the outcome is rather mixed.

• Galia elicits sympathy and empathy, but her obsession and subsequent choices often alienate the audience. She appears more as a victim of circumstance than as an autonomous individual.
• Roma comes across as the quintessential spoiled rich kid: uncaring and frivolous. His actions, especially the prank involving "death," render him considerably unsympathetic.
• Kirill, on the other hand, is a caricature of a 90s thug, his abusive nature immediately evident from the outset.

Production: Clichés and Mediocrity

Directed by Alexander Tsui, who previously worked on projects like "Difficult Teens" and "Connection," "Gum" does not reach the heights of his earlier works.

1. Music and Visual Atmosphere

Similar to most domestic teen series, "Gum" is rife with neon parties, clips of fast cuts, and average soundtrack choices. These elements serve more as a backdrop than enriching the narrative.

2. Dialogues and Screenplay

Despite the collaboration of nine screenplay writers on this project, discernible success remains unapproachable. Dialogues often come off as forced, while character actions frequently lack logical coherence.

Critique: Where Did It Fall Short?

Many viewers and critics expressed dissatisfaction with "Gum."

• Clichés Over Originality: The plot is littered with tropes—neon parties and affluent teens without financial worries are just the tip of the iceberg.
• Lack of Realism: The actors portraying teenagers often appear significantly older than their characters, raising doubts about the authenticity of the portrayal.
• Absence of Narrative Clarity: The series attempts to tackle a breadth of subjects, resulting in a plot that lacks coherence and focus.

Comparison to Other Projects

Viewers have drawn parallels between "Gum" and other series such as "Euphoria" or "Sex Education." However, the level of drama, character development, and relevance of issues addressed in those series vastly overshadows this current offering.

Culmination: Is It Worth Watching?

Ultimately, "Gum" stands as a classic example of a series trying to resonate with a young audience, but the execution leaves much to be desired. Riddled with clichés, lacking in strong dialogue, and partly superficial in addressing substantial themes, this project fails to distinguish itself in the genre.

For those in search of a light-hearted teen show interspersed with elements of drama, "Gum" might provide a hint of entertainment. However, for viewers accustomed to more profound narratives, exploring other offerings may be a more rewarding endeavor.