Exploring Season Three of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!"
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Rating: 8 out of 10
The series "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has long captured the hearts of audiences, skillfully weaving nostalgia for the tumultuous 90s with an engaging, multi-layered storyline. The premiere of the third season on the online platform Premier invites us back into the ambiance of provincial Russia in the mid-90s, yet this time through the lens of its characters’ coming of age.
Characters Mature, Problems Intensify
Once more, we find ourselves in the company of a lively group of friends who remain entangled in unexpected situations, despite the passage of two years. The new season unfolds during the summer of 1996, which symbolically marks the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the protagonists.
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has left his school days behind and is trying to navigate the complexities of adult life. His budding relationship with a girl, played by Alexandra Khoromova, brings a romantic layer to the narrative, yet does little to alleviate the everyday struggles he faces, such as working at a cassette shop.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have become young parents. Maintaining his typical over-confident demeanor, Vovka attempts to provide for his family by resorting to questionable methods.
- Ilya (Fedor Roshchin), the character with a tumultuous inner world, is now engrossed in the pursuit of physical self-improvement, which lends an added depth to his character arc.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown, not alone but with her fiancé (Fedor Fedotov), creating an unexpected twist for her friends.
The familial issues that Sanya confronts also take center stage in this season. His mother (Ksenia Katalyumova) finds herself arrested for financial misconduct, while his father (Stepan Devonin) hopes to gain assistance from a former partner who may not be what he seems.
Criminal Tula: A Maelstrom of Events
In a bold narrative choice, the writers explicitly locate the action in Tula. Following the events of the first two seasons, the city undergoes transformation: several key figures of the criminal underworld have met their demise, prompting the creators to introduce new characters while even 'resurrecting' older ones.
Fans can anticipate the surprising return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in the previous season appeared final. This time, the writers have made a concerted effort to justify their survival with a greater sense of plausibility, adding intrigue and dynamism to the unfolding plot.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical accompaniment continues to stand out as one of the show's strongest suits. The compositions by Mudzhuza aptly encapsulate the mood—fraught yet full of hope—that defines the era. Additionally, the audience will hear nostalgic hits from the 90s that evoke memories of a bygone time. Special emphasis is placed on the album "Sea" by the band Mumiy Troll, which, despite historical inaccuracies, is showcased as being released a full year early.
A Slow Start or The Calm Before the Storm?
Unlike its predecessors, the third season kicks off with a relatively slow-paced narrative. Nonetheless, a sense of tension is palpable from the very first episodes. The lingering question remains: will the creators maintain this pace, or will they as usual submerge the characters into a whirlwind of captivating and perilous escapades?
The third season of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" serves as a worthy continuation of the tale surrounding maturation, the challenges of making choices, and the spirit of the complicated 90s. Despite some debatable narrative decisions, this project stands as one of the finest examples of contemporary Russian cinema. Intrigue, dynamism, and emotional depth make this series a must-watch for anyone who appreciates drama steeped in historical context.