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 won over the hearts of viewers for its deft balance between nostalgia for the tumultuous 90s and an engaging, multi-layered storyline. The third season, which premiered on the online platform Premier, invites us once again into the ambiance of provincial Russia during the mid-90s, but this time it does so from the perspective of the characters as they transition into adulthood.
Characters Mature, Complications Multiply
At the heart of the narrative remains an inseparable group of friends who, despite the passing of two years, continue to find themselves in unexpected predicaments. This new season unfolds during the summer of 1996, a pivotal time that symbolically aligns with a fresh chapter in the protagonists' lives.
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has finally left his school days behind and is striving to navigate the complexities of adult life. His burgeoning relationship with a girl (Alexandra Khamova) adds a romantic flavor to the tale, yet it does nothing to shield him from the mundane challenges of existence, such as working in a cassette shop.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have embraced parenthood. Vovka, ever the self-assured character, is venturing to support his family, albeit through questionable means.
- Ilya (Fyodor Roshchin), a character wrestling with an unstable inner world, has taken an interest in physical self-improvement, adding layers of drama to his persona.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) makes a surprising return to her hometown, not alone, but accompanied by her fiancΓ© (Fyodor Fedotov), which becomes a shocking twist for her friends.
Sanya's family woes also take center stage; his mother (Ksenia Katalymova) has been arrested for financial fraud, while his father (Stepan Devonin) clings to the hope of rescue from a former partner who may not be as dependable as he seems.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The writers, opting for a more overt narrative style, clearly set the stage in Tula. Following the events of the first two seasons, the city undergoes significant changes: many key players in the criminal underworld are gone, necessitating the introduction of new characters and even the "resurrection" of some familiar faces.
Viewers can expect the unexpected return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in the previous season had seemed final. This time, the scriptwriters have crafted a more believable rationale behind their survival, injecting intrigue and intensity into the storyline.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical score continues to be one of the series' strongest suits. The compositions by Mujus successfully capture the essence of a tumultuous yet hopeful era. Additionally, hits from the 90s resonate throughout, stirring feelings of nostalgia. Special emphasis is placed on the album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll," which, despite the actual timeline, is presented as having been released a year earlier.
A Slow Start or Calm Before the Storm?
Unlike its predecessors, the third season kicks off with a relatively sedate pace. Nevertheless, tension is palpable from the opening episodes. The burning question remains: will the creators maintain this rhythm, or will they, as is customary, plunge the characters into a whirlwind of exhilarating and perilous escapades?
Season three of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" stands as a substantial continuation of a narrative exploring maturation, the challenges of decision-making, and the spirit of the complicated 90s. Despite some controversial plot choices, the project remains one of the finest examples of contemporary Russian cinema. The intrigue, dynamism, and emotional depth render this series a must-watch for anyone who appreciates drama steeped in historical significance.