Exploring the Complexities of Season Three: 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 with its delicate balance between nostalgia for the tumultuous 90s and an engaging, multi-layered narrative. The premiere of the third season on the online platform Premier once again immerses us in the atmosphere of provincial Russia in the mid-90s, but this time through the lens of the main characters' maturation.
Characters Mature, Complications Increase
At the heart of the story is an unpredictable group of friends, who, despite the passage of two years, find themselves ensnared in the most unexpected predicaments. The new season unfolds during the summer of 1996, a defining moment that coincides with the beginning of a new chapter in the characters' lives.
- Sanka (Egor Gubarev) has moved past school and is attempting to navigate the complexities of adult life. His new relationship with his girlfriend (Alexandra Khoromova) adds a romantic tone to the plot, though it doesn't shield him from daily struggles, such as working at a cassette stall.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have stepped into the role of young parents. Vovka, with his characteristic overconfidence, is determined to provide for his family but resorts to questionable means to do so.
- Ilya (Fedor Roshchin), a character with a turbulent inner world, is now captivated by physical self-improvement, which adds further drama to his journey.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown not alone but with her fiancé (Fedor Fedotov), a twist that takes her friends by surprise.
Sanka's family troubles take center stage as well, with his mother (Kseniya Katalymova) arrested for financial crimes, while his father (Stepan Devonin) hopes for assistance from a former partner who may not be who he appears to be.
A Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The writers have decided to move away from subtle hints and explicitly identify Tula as the setting for the unfolding drama. Following the events of the previous seasons, the city experiences significant changes: many key figures in the criminal underworld have perished, forcing the creators to introduce new characters and even "resurrect" some old acquaintances.
Viewers can look forward to the surprising return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in the last season seemed conclusive. This time, the writers have crafted a more plausible explanation for their survival, weaving in intrigue and dynamics into the plot's progression.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical accompaniment continues to be one of the series' strongest assets. The compositions by Mujus skillfully convey the mood of an anxious but hopeful era, complemented by iconic tracks from the 90s that evoke a wave of nostalgia. Notably, the album "Morskaya" by the band Mumiy Troll is highlighted, despite its release being a year earlier than the show's actual chronology.
A Slow Start or the Calm Before the Storm?
In contrast to earlier seasons, the third installment begins with a relatively slow development of events. However, tension is palpable from the first episodes. The burning question remains: will the creators maintain this pace, or will they, as has become customary, plunge the characters into a whirlwind of thrilling and perilous adventures?
The third season of the series "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" is a high-quality continuation of a tale about growing up, the difficult choices one must make, and the restless spirit of the challenging 90s. Despite some controversial narrative decisions, the project stands out as one of the finest examples of contemporary Russian cinema. The intrigue, dynamic storyline, and emotional depth render the series a must-watch for anyone who appreciates drama interwoven with historical context.