Final Season of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" Review

The Final Season of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!": Characters Maturing and a New Interpretation of the 90s

On the video streaming platform Premier, the third and final season of the series "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has come to a close. This iconic representation of Russian reality in the 90s has earned its place as a cultural phenomenon, thanks to the creative ingenuity of Good Story Media, a production studio with roots in Perm. The show doesn’t merely depict the tumultuous decade; it skillfully blends elements of drama, nostalgia, and profound social commentary.

From "90s Disco Nostalgia" to Deep Coming-of-Age Tales

As we edged into the 2010s, the societal fascination with the 90s erupted, with cinema and television at the forefront of this revival. However, many productions merely scratched the surface, falling back on clichéd portrayals of gangsters clad in leather jackets and anthems from that era. What sets "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" apart from these repetitive tropes is its unique perspective—through the eyes of teens navigating life during a chaotic period. This narrative direction allows viewers to rediscover fragments of their own childhoods or adolescence, fostering a deeply immersive experience.

The producers cleverly leveraged a format reminiscent of a "local Stranger Things," stripping away the mystique while retaining the heartfelt aspects of teenage camaraderie and the spirit of adventure. They introduced us to the "Roof Brotherhood"—a band of friends grappling with their existence in a harsh world rising from the ruins of the old system. At the heart of the tale is Sanka Ryabinin, along with his companions Volka, Ilyusha, and Zhenya, together forming a vivid portrayal of an entire generation wrestling with the challenges of growing up amidst social upheaval.

Transitioning from Childhood to Adulthood: Character Dynamics

The first season of the series enveloped viewers in an atmosphere filled with outdoor games, concert outings, and warm family moments. It was a touching yet naïve tale imbued with the essence of nostalgia. Yet, as the characters matured, the series underwent a tonal shift. By the second season, the youthful protagonists faced real-world dilemmas: issues like alcohol trafficking, family crises, and criminal disputes over factories. A central theme emerged—an awakening to the weight of their actions and the impact on those around them.

By the time the third season unfolds, the characters have definitively transitioned into adulthood. The year is 1996, a tumultuous era marked by the election campaign