Ep 2. My Perestroika by Robin Hessman

POV season 24 episode 2, titled "My Perestroika" by Robin Hessman, takes viewers on a journey through the lives of five ordinary citizens of the Soviet Union who grew up during the Cold War era and experienced firsthand the effects of perestroika and glasnost, two policies that led to the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

The documentary is set in contemporary Russia and follows the lives of Olga, Ruslan, Borya, Andrei, and Lyuba, who were all in their late 30s and early 40s at the time of filming. They grew up in the Soviet Union and were educated in its schools, but their lives changed drastically with the advent of perestroika in the 1980s.

As the five documentary subjects discuss their unique experiences and perspectives on the Soviet era and the changes that followed, viewers get a glimpse into how a country's social and political history shapes the people who live in it. The five individuals each have their own story to share, but their combined narratives form a powerful portrait of a society on the brink of monumental change.

The documentary also highlights the gap between the promise of a more open and democratic society that perestroika offered, and the reality of a new world with unfamiliar and often unsettling norms. Through the happenings of the five characters' lives- like Olga becoming a banker, Andrei becoming a successful businessman, Ruslan quitting his job as a schoolteacher to become a priest - viewers get an understanding of the psychological complexities of living through such profound social upheaval.

The documentary captures the essence of everyday life in contemporary Russia. It takes the viewer through ordinary moments like family dinners, school pick-ups, and cityscapes while weaving in glimpses of the challenges that the country has faced in the post-Soviet era. For instance, Russia struggled with a devastation in its social systems, economic development, and political strife which has created an atmosphere of disillusionment.

Ultimately, the documentary showcases five stories of personal growth and self-discovery in the wake of national transformation. It offers some conclusions to how their experience could connect to larger transitions in history and attempts to capture the emotions resonating across entire generations undergo major social upheavals.

Overall, POV season 24 episode 2 is a fascinating and insightful look into the lives of five individuals in contemporary Russia and the effect of perestroika on their lives. It offers an intimate look into the challenges faced by a society undergoing profound change and how individuals are impacted by these shifts. It is an important addition to the body of work exploring the post-Soviet era.