Exploring Season Three of 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Rating: 8 out of 10
The series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has long captured the hearts of viewers by weaving a delicate tapestry of nostalgia for the tumultuous '90s with an engaging, multi-layered narrative. The third season, which premiered on the online platform Premier, submerges us once again into the essence of provincial Russia during the mid-'90s; however, this time it does so through the lens of its protagonists' maturation.
Characters Mature, Challenges Multiply
At the heart of the story is the restless band of friends, who, despite the passage of two years, find themselves ensnared in the most unexpected scenarios. Set against the backdrop of summer 1996, the new season symbolically marks the dawn of a new chapter in the lives of its characters.
- Sanka (Egor Gubarev) has left the school days behind and is grappling with the complexities of adult life. His budding romance with a girl (Alexandra Khlomova) adds a romantic hue to the narrative while failing to shield him from the daily grind, such as working in a kiosk selling cassettes.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have embraced the role of young parents. Vovka, true to his overconfident nature, strives to provide for his family, albeit through questionable means.
- Ilya (Fyodor Roshchin), a character with an erratic internal landscape, is now engrossed in physical self-improvement, which infuses his storyline with a sense of drama and tension.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown not alone, but accompanied by her fiancé (Fyodor Fedotov), an unexpected twist that leaves her friends in a state of surprise.
Sanka's familial troubles take center stage as well. His mother (Ksenia Katalymova) faces arrest over financial misconduct, while his father (Stepan Devonin) clings to the hope that a former partner might assist him, even if this ally is not who he seems to be.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The writers, opting for straightforward storytelling, directly spotlight Tula as the setting. After the events of the first two seasons, the city has seen considerable upheaval: numerous key figures of the criminal underworld have met untimely ends, necessitating the introduction of new characters and even the 'resurrection' of old ones.
Viewers can anticipate the surprising reappearance of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose earlier fates seemed irreversible. This time around, the writers work hard to anchor their survival in a more believable context, injecting intrigue and momentum into the unfolding drama.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical score remains one of the show’s strongest facets. Compositions by Mujus deftly convey the ambiance of an era fraught with anxiety yet rich with hope. '90s hits resonate throughout, serving as a powerful nostalgia trigger. Particular attention is lent to the album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll," which, despite real-world timelines, is depicted as being released a year earlier.
A Slow Start or the Calm Before the Storm?
Unlike its predecessors, the third season kicks off at a relatively leisurely pace. Nonetheless, the tension is palpable from the very first episodes. The question remains whether the creators will maintain this rhythm or, as per usual, toss the characters into a whirlwind of thrilling and perilous escapades.
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" serves as a compelling continuation of a narrative focused on maturation, the complexities of choice, and the essence of the turbulent '90s. Despite certain contentious plot decisions, the series stands as one of the finest examples of contemporary Russian cinema. Intrigue, dynamic storytelling, and emotional depth render it a must-watch for anyone who appreciates drama layered with historical significance.