The filming of the series Gum commenced in Moscow, a fact confirmed to socialbites.ca by representatives of the PREMIER online cinema. The project brings together a notable lineup, with Daria Balabanova portraying the central character alongside Anton Rogachev, whose previous credits include End of the World and Dyldy. Alexander Tsoi, recognized for his work on Difficult Youth, serves as the director, shaping a story that blends ambition, temptation, and the volatile energy of youth.
The core narrative follows Galya Shalamova, a girl raised in an orphanage, who dreams of breaking into the script department at VGIK, Russia’s venerable film school. The spark for a dramatic turn comes when she encounters a provocative livestream by blogger Hans Schmuse. The encounter feels like fate to Galya, who sees a kindred spirit in Hans and imagines a shared destiny in the bright world of media and storytelling.
Galya’s belief draws Hans into a romance, and for a moment the couple seems poised for a passionate partnership. Yet Hans quickly tires of the relationship, recognizing that Galya has attached herself to him with a persistence that borders on obsession. Faced with this clinginess, the blogger moves to drastic measures in a bid to sever the bond and regain his independence, setting the stage for a cycle of power plays, manipulation, and urgent emotional weather.
Balabanova has spoken about the depth of the heroine’s story, noting that the character’s arc allowed her to channel a spectrum of manic energy and raw emotion. The actress described how inhabiting Galya enabled a release of intense feelings and a sharper edge to her own performance. The performer described the emotional texture of the role as a fusion of sharp pain and the fierce vitality of living fully, even when circumstances press toward overwhelm. She suggested that the man at the center of the tale is not fully free from the storms inside, yet often maintains an outward calm that hides a turbulent interior.
The series places a premium on character study and psychological texture, presenting a world where ambition collides with desire, and where the lines between aspiration and obsession blur in the glow of screens and public attention. The tension between inner turmoil and outward composure is a through-line that gives the narrative its propulsion, driving viewers to question how far a person will go for love, recognition, or a chance at belonging within a noisy, image-driven landscape. The performances, led by Balabanova, anchor the drama with a sense of lived experience, even as the plot pushes toward increasingly dramatic developments.
Behind the scenes, there have been moments of real-world drama during production. Earlier reports noted an accidental jellyfish encounter involving actor Denisov while preparing for scenes, a reminder that the path to filming can carry unexpected challenges. Such incidents underscore the unpredictable nature of filming in real locations and the resilience required from a cast and crew navigating emotionally charged material.