Back In You As Us Are
A lyrical narrative about the youth of the 80s in the USSR
Back in You As Us Are – A Coming-of-Age Story in the USSR of the Early 80s.
The film’s title plays on the phonetic similarity to the song “Back In the USSR” by The Beatles, which the characters hear during their English language lesson.
Films about the youth of the USSR are usually portrayed as a sentimental picture, where children are concerned with the decisions of the Politburo, and pioneers are heroes. And if they are not concerned, then teenagers are completely devoid of agency and merely carry out the plans of adults.
In reality, the young generation is a creative resource for any society. And that’s what the youth of the USSR were. But the system encouraged not individuality and talent, but loyalty and conformism.
Our film is a tribute to romanticism, ambition, and youth, with a touch of nostalgia.
The film features a lot of music, both from the 80s era and music created in our days.
Written and Directed by Evgeny Artemyev.
Brief Description
«Back In You As Us Are»
Back In You As Us Are – A Coming-of-Age Story in the Early 80s USSR
The story follows the main character, who, under the pressure of the general behavior and norms of a provincial town, tries to find his place in life.
Succumbing to the persuasion of a classmate, he enrolls in a technical school and immerses himself in student life, full of events. He becomes an active participant in discos, where he expresses his creativity and organizational skills, but he clashes with the controversial PE teacher. The group enjoys the patronage of a young secretary of the Komsomol organization and the head of the trade union committee – a friendly and constructive woman. However, beyond the PE teacher, there is another powerful force – the party organizer – a despotic and orthodox opponent of youth trends.
The main character never parts with his film camera, dreaming of making movies.
His passion is well-known, and some teachers mock him, discrediting his creative impulses. One day, he finds out that his family doesn’t approve of his ambitions either – he is harshly brought back to reality. He experiences infatuation, followed by a treacherous betrayal.
A robbery occurs at the disco after one of the dance evenings. Who is responsible, and why can the characters’ lives never be the same again? This is what the main character must figure out.
And so, the protagonist announces to his friends his decision to leave the technical school and go to Moscow, against his parents’ wishes. The farewell to his friends, the step into the unknown in pursuit of his dream – the stakes are incredibly high, and the protagonist is determined to take action.
Film Teaser
«Back In You As Us Are»