Servant of the People
Servant of the People
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Servant of the People (2015-2019) is a Ukranian political satire (offered in Russian with English subtitles) starring comedian Volodymyr Zelenskyy before he became president of Ukraine. There's some cursing (Russian versions are bleeped, but some are spelled out in English), crude sexual references, as well as drinking, smoking, and arguing. Occasionally high-end brands like Versace, Luis Vuitton, Hermes, and others are featured.
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What's the Story?
SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE is a comedy series about a Ukranian teacher who is elected as the country's president. Volodymyr Zelenskyy plays Vasiliy Petrovich Goloborodko, a 30-something high school history teacher of modest means who lives with his family in Kiev. When a student-recorded YouTube video showing him ranting against government corruption goes viral, he suddenly becomes popular among the Ukrainian people. But when he's elected president after his students secretly launched a crowdfunding campaign to register him as an official candidate, Goloborodko finds himself having to navigate the confusing world of presidential politics. It isn't easy, and leads to lots of mishaps, but the new president is determined to serve his people by pushing for government reform.
Is It Any Good?
The humorous, prophetic series (which is in Russian with English subtitles) is a smart political satire that delivers on laughs and strong social commentary. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was elected president of Ukraine in April 2019 after he founded a political party named after the TV series, offers an outstanding performance that feels genuine and honest. Meanwhile, despite being centered on Ukrainian politics, both the comedy and its messages can be universally understood. But while Servant of the People is an entertaining show, because it takes place only a few years prior to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, it may be hard to settle into, especially since it shows the city of Kiev, and its people, before the violence and destruction. If you can get past this, it's certainly a TV series worth tuning into.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Ukraine. What is its political and economic history? Why does it have a historically contentious relationship with Russia? How has media covered political events in Ukraine over the years?
Why was Servant of the People so popular in Ukraine? Did it spark a new political movement? What impact did the TV show have on Zelenskyy's win in the presidential election?
TV Details
- Premiere date: November 16, 2015
- Cast: Volodymyr Zelensky
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Comedy
- Character Strengths: Integrity, Perseverance
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: March 21, 2022
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