Exploring the Third Season of World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Rating: 8 out of 10
The television series "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has captured the hearts of audiences far and wide, thanks to its masterful blend of nostalgia for the tumultuous 90s and an engaging, multi-layered narrative. With the premiere of its third season on the online platform Premier, viewers are once again taken back to the essence of provincial Russia in the mid-90s, but now through the lens of the characters’ gradual transformation into adulthood.
Characters Mature, Complications Arise
At the heart of the story remains a lively group of friends who, despite the passage of two years, find themselves thrust into the most unexpected situations once more. Set in the summer of 1996, this new season symbolically marks the beginning of a fresh chapter in the lives of its protagonists.
- Sanka (Egor Gubarev) has bid farewell to school and is struggling to navigate the complexities of adult life. His budding romance with a girl (Alexandra Khoromova) injects a hint of romance into the narrative, yet it doesn’t spare him from the day-to-day grind, including a job at a kiosk selling cassette tapes.
- Volka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have stepped into parenthood, learning the ropes of raising a child. Volka, with his trademark bravado, tries to support his family but resorts to questionable methods.
- Ilya (Fyodor Roshchin), a character haunted by his inner turmoil, has taken up physical self-improvement, adding a layer of drama to his arc.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown not alone, but with a fiancé (Fyodor Fedotov), a twist that surprises her friends.
Sanka’s family troubles also form a pivotal storyline. His mother (Ksenia Katalymova) finds herself arrested for financial fraud, while his father (Stepan Devonin) looks to an old partner for support, a man who may not be what he appears.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The writers have chosen to shed the veils of subtlety, clearly positioning Tula as the backdrop for this season's events. Following the dramatic turns of the first two seasons, the city faces a shift; many key figures from the criminal underworld have died, pushing the creators to introduce fresh characters and even "resurrect" previous ones.
Viewers are in for an unexpected twist with the return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in preceding seasons seemed conclusive. This time, the writers have crafted a more plausible justification for their survival, adding intrigue and dynamism to the evolving story.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
A strong point of the series continues to be its musical score. The compositions by Mujus perfectly encapsulate the mood of a tense yet hope-filled era. Featured prominently are 90s hits that evoke a wave of nostalgia. Special attention is given to the album "Sea" by the band "Mumiy Troll," which, despite historical inaccuracies, is cleverly presented as releasing a year earlier than it actually did.
A Slow Start or a Calm Before the Storm?
Unlike the previous seasons, the third one kicks off with a relatively leisurely pace. Yet, tension is palpable from the outset. The burning question is whether the authors will maintain this rhythm or, as is their custom, plunge the characters into a whirlwind of thrilling and perilous escapades.
Wrapping Up
The third season of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" serves as a robust continuation of a narrative exploring the trials of growing up, the challenges of decision-making, and the indomitable spirit of the complex 90s. Despite some contentious plot decisions, the series remains one of the finest examples of contemporary Russian cinema. With its intrigue, dynamic storytelling, and emotional depth, it is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates drama steeped in historical context.