Russia 1985-1999: TraumaZone

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What it felt like to live through the collapse of communism and democracy. A series of films by Adam Curtis.

Episode 1Part One - 1985 to 1989

Perestroika. The dream of saving communism. But the oligarchs start to loot the system. Contains some upsetting scenes.

Episode 2Part Two - 1989 to 1991

No potatoes in Moscow. The Soviet plan runs out of control. But McDonald’s opens. Contains some upsetting scenes.

Episode 3Part Three - 1991

Hardliners try a coup. Power slips through their shaking hands. Money replaces ideology. Some upsetting scenes.

Episode 4Part Four - 1992 to 1994

Russia goes through the mirror to a chaotic dream world where nothing is stable any more. Contains some upsetting scenes.

Episode 5Part Five - 1993 to 1996

Russian society implodes. Yeltsin attacks parliament with tanks to save democracy. Contains disturbing scenes.

Episode 6Part Six - 1994 to 1998

Yeltsin believes a war in Chechnya will save him, while gangsters become heroes. Contains disturbing scenes.

Episode 7Part Seven - 1995 to 1999

Oligarchs choose Putin as their puppet. Russians turn against the 'curse of democracy'. Contains some upsetting scenes.

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