My Thoughts on the Series 'Chewing Gum' and Its Themes

From the very first frames of the series "Chewing Gum", it becomes evident that this is not just another run-of-the-mill teen drama. Instead, it's a brave endeavor to squeeze a densely packed narrative into a brief timeframe. However, the outcome elicits a mixed bag of emotions. The themes tackled hold significance, but their execution leaves much to be desired.

A Maze of Storylines and Time Constraints

One of the defining characteristics of "Chewing Gum" is the multitude of narrative arcs that unfold simultaneously. The series attempts to encapsulate a plethora of themes and conflicts:

• Teen Struggles: From identity crises to the universal quest for acceptance.
• Kyrill's Criminal Tendencies: A domineering boy whose actions border on the reckless.
• Galya's Mother: Recently released from prison and finding her place in a changed world.
• Roma's Wealthy But Emotionally Starved Family: Featuring a sister battling cancer and a distant father, adding to an overall atmosphere of despair.
• Infidelity, Bullying, and Stalking: These darker elements hover ominously throughout.

While such a vast array of events could be seen as a strength, the series suffers from its limited runtime. Consequently, the plot feels disjointed, and the characters often remain underdeveloped, like uncarved stone.

Principal Characters: Difficult to Empathize With

As many viewers have observed, every character in the series tends to evoke more annoyance than empathy:

• Galya Shalamova: The protagonist, whose tumultuous life and relentless pursuit of love and validation lacks the nuance needed to garner genuine sympathy. Her desperation seems overly invasive.
• Roma (Hans Schmuze): A privileged vlogger, who makes Galya a target of mockery embodies the archetype of the spoiled rich kid. Instead of evoking even a hint of sympathy, he amplifies the sense of emptiness surrounding him and his circle.
• Kyrill: Galya's tyrannical boyfriend with a penchant for criminality heightens the prevailing tension and danger surrounding the group.

Even secondary characters like Roma's emotionally distant mother or his sister fighting for survival fail to inspire any pangs of compassion. It feels like the creators intentionally crafted all the characters to be as off-putting as possible.

Collective Cruelty: Games That Spiral Out of Control

One of the most striking yet unsettling themes of the series is collective cruelty. Roma and his friends engage in a so-called "game" with Galya, dubbing it "Chewing Gum," which showcases a flagrant disregard for others' feelings.

The scenes where the group of affluent teens ridicules Galya sharply mirror the grave issues of bullying and moral irresponsibility. However, the show stops short of offering a deep exploration of this topic, merely skimming its surface for shock value.

Hope for Narrative Development?

Despite its shortcomings, "Chewing Gum" does hold potential. Galya's journey—her attempts to navigate through a labyrinth of personal challenges and her yearning to carve out an identity in a world marked by dishonesty and manipulation—has the potential to form the backbone of a richer narrative.

A glimmer of hope lies in the possibility that through her trials, Galya could come to write a script that transforms her existence. This could evolve into a narrative that highlights how art can facilitate healing and self-discovery.

"Chewing Gum" stands as a project that raises numerous questions without providing clear answers. Perhaps it should be viewed as an experiment in teen cinema, but to label it as successful remains a challenge.

Nonetheless, for those drawn to dramas exploring complex relationships, the series may offer something intriguing. Future episodes might delve deeper into character development and thematic exploration. As it stands, however, the impression is one of ambivalence: while the show piques interest, it simultaneously frustrates with its superficiality and narrative overload.

Let’s hope the creators find the right path moving forward, demonstrating that even from the most tumultuous situations, there’s a way out.