Sergey Lazarev released a video for the song Dont’ try to repeat on YouTube, and the release quickly drew attention for more than just the music. The artist themselves frames the project as something closer to a short film than a conventional clip, a continuation of the GM Universe music series that caught fans’ imaginations. In the video description, GM Universe is presented as a real short film that ties into a larger narrative that revolves around a single, telling symbol — a coin — that links each piece across the series.
Spanning about six minutes, the video places Lazarev in a narrative full of cinematic flair. He stars opposite a psychologist character portrayed by Lyubov Tolkalina, while Maria Andreeva takes on the role of the lyrical heroine who anchors the emotional core of the story. The visual language nods to classic Hollywood storytelling, featuring staged confrontations, high-speed chases, and a rhythm that feels both urgent and expansive. The production aims to blur the line between a music video and a motion picture, inviting viewers to experience a layered, character-driven experience rather than a straightforward performance clip.
The core premise follows a man whose life appears ordinary at first glance: a simple routine, a steady job, and a steady relationship. Yet beneath the surface, a torment of inner voices and impulses begins to surface — echoes of past decisions, fears, and unspoken desires. The narrative describes the presence of demons living in his mind, not simply as metaphor but as forces that influence choices when the Locket appears. It acts as a catalyst, drawing out a twin within the hero and multiplying his best traits in the process. This double presence intensifies the drama as the protagonist is forced to confront a stark question: who is the real self when the self splits into competing identities? The film uses this internal conflict to explore themes of personal growth, temptation, and the endless tug-of-war between restraint and release.
As the story progresses, the interplay between the hero and his alter ego becomes the engine of the narrative. The psychologist character guides the arc, offering insights and questions that prompt the viewer to consider how memory, perception, and choice shape a person’s reality. The lyrical heroine, brought to life by Andreeva, continues to anchor the emotional stakes, reminding the audience that relationships and connections are a counterweight to the chaos of the inner world. The visuals, pacing, and sound design work together to create a mood that feels cinematic rather than merely performative, inviting repeated viewing to catch the subtle foreshadowing and symbolic cues scattered throughout the film.
Credit is due to the creative team for treating the project as a small-scale feature. The setting and production design evoke a timeless, almost dreamlike quality, while action sequences provide momentary bursts of adrenaline that punctuate the character’s inward journey. The narrative ultimately lands on a simple yet powerful idea: identity is not a fixed state but a dynamic conversation between different facets of the self. In the end, the hero faces his own reflection and the consequences of choices made under the influence of both desire and fear, offering a compact meditation on self-ownership and the quest for authenticity.
Beyond the story itself, the creators outline the film’s broader intent within the GM Universe. The six-minute piece is intended to be watched as part of a larger continuum, encouraging fans to seek out the earlier installments and to look ahead for forthcoming chapters. The approach demonstrates how music videos can function as micro-films that expand a musical artist’s universe, inviting deeper engagement through narrative threads and recurring symbols. Viewers might notice how the coin recurs as a motif, a reminder that every decision carries weight and that the line between fate and choice can be both blurry and revealing.
In presenting the project, Lazarev and the team emphasize that the short film format offers a versatile canvas for storytelling. It provides space for mood, character development, and visual experimentation—elements that can be harder to fully express in a standard music video. The result is a piece that feels intentional and crafted, yet still accessible to casual viewers who come for the song and stay for the story. The collaboration between Lazarev, Tolkalina, and Andreeva illustrates how different talents can converge to create a cohesive, immersive experience that resonates across audiences and platforms.
Finally, the project stands as a testament to Lazarev’s willingness to push the boundaries of how pop music can be presented. By embracing the long-form short film format, the artist invites a broader conversation about storytelling in contemporary music and the role of visual media in shaping a song’s meaning. The GM Universe short film thus becomes more than an accompaniment to a track; it serves as a narrative companion that deepens listeners’ connection to the music and to the evolving universe that surrounds it.
Note: The piece is presented as a cinematic exploration rather than a traditional music video, inviting audiences to consider how perception and imagination shape what they hear and see, and how a single symbol can carry multiple layers of meaning across a series.