The Series Physics or Chemistry: Hermeneutic Analysis of Media Text
Fedorov A., Huston, E. (2017). The series "Physics or Chemistry": hermeneutic analysis of media text. Media education. 2017. No. 4.
5 Pages Posted: 21 Aug 2017
Date Written: August 16, 2017
Abstract
Tolerant "European format" of the Russian TV series on the school topic Physics or Chemistry (2011) has got into the already prepared ground, and, unlike the harsh films of Valeria Gay Germanika Everyone dies and I stay (2008) and School (2010), did not become the epicenter of protracted media discussions of professionals. At the same time, this series had clearly and unambiguously pro-Western orientation of approaches to the school theme: - benevolent attitude to the relaxed behavior and sexual relations (including homosexual) between students of 16-17 years (and even between a teacher and a student); - indulgence to use by students and teachers of light drugs, dirty slang expressions, etc.; - the authors' ambivalent attitude to almost all the characters, even to those who, a few years ago, would be considered negative on all media canons; - the main ideas of the characters about success are their love and other (including professional) self-realization, and characters are rewarded in this world who are not afraid to tell others about their love connections (even if they are the liaisons of the teacher and the seventeen-year-old student), about the non-traditional orientation and addiction to light drugs.
The article concludes that the TV series "Physics or Chemistry" has become a clear evidence of a significant change in social and media concepts about the school, students and teachers that occurred in Russia in the 21st century.
Keywords: hermeneutic analysis, media text, TV series, film, school, students, teachers, gender.
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation