Review of the series “Combination” – about the search for talent from the regions and the ability to dream big

On September 6, Wink will launch the hottest premiere not only of autumn, but also of 2024 – the series “Combination” about the popular group of the late 80s – early 90s, whose songs are known by heart to all regulars of the USSR discos. The main roles in the Saratov female quintet are played by Elizaveta Bazykina (she played vocalist Tatyana Ivanova), Anastasia Ukolova (she played vocalist Alena Apina), Daria Rudenok (she played bassist Olga Akhunova), Tatyana Struzhenkova (she played keyboardist Svetlana Kostyko ) and Yulia Kozyulkova (drummer Polina Gukhman).

The Fashion Vibes editor attended the premiere and watched the first two episodes. We tell how the series made the audience sing, joke and applaud along with the main characters. You can read about the outfits of the stars on the red carpet, their comments and reviews here.

The series opens almost immediately with the group’s songs, causing waves of nostalgia among the older generation and, probably, a shiver among the Zoomers who are listening to them for the first time. The story begins, oddly enough, in the maternity hospital, where the hero Nikita Kologrivoy (producer Alexander Shishinin played the role) rejoices at the birth of his daughter. Although anyone familiar with the history of the group understands that these scenes mean little in terms of the plot, it is very pleasant and unusual to see paternal love in the frame, the significance of which is always overshadowed by the figure of the mother. We see that the hero is ready to do anything to ease the burden on the family, and such an opportunity appears when a familiar producer (Askar Ilyasov) offers to earn money on speculation – illegal resale of tickets. As it turned out, Shishinin does it well: he seems to calculate everything several steps in advance.

From the very first episode, we see the conflict between individualism and collectivism, so familiar to Soviet citizens. Shishinin works as an employee of the OBKhSS – his position provides the family with a stable income, but the money is still barely enough to make ends meet, and he has a small child in his arms. Like Heisenberg in Breaking Bad, who began to produce illegal substances for the sake of his family, but discovered his talent as a businessman, Shishinin unexpectedly discovers his talent as a producer. Deep down, he always knew that his mission was to seek out talents, bring them together and make the whole world know about them. Even without a musical education, Shishinin instinctively senses who has the energy of a star. “Their voice may be good, but it doesn’t give you goosebumps,” he categorically eliminates one contestant after another.

Today, stories about how future stars are found on the street seem incredible: celebrities’ biographies are carefully cleaned, all interview questions are agreed upon, scandals are started for the sake of PR, and managers control every word. But in the 1980s, show business was just emerging, and the hero of Kologrivoy was looking for future stars in this artisanal way in the most unexpected places. And in this he will be helped by composer Vitaly Okorokov (played by Vladimir Kanukhin), who will compose future hits for “Combination”.

The series shows how rough and unattractive the path to fame, which from the outside seems like a bright world of endless parties. What did the heroes go through to record their first song? But Shishinin has the courage to win over the stubborn young people to his side, organize a concert for military personnel returning from Afghanistan, secretly record a song on someone else’s equipment and ensure that the precious tape is broadcast on the radio.

Shishinin, a bright individualist, brought together talents from regions with completely different experiences under one musical group. The most interesting thing is to watch the “crush” in the relationship of the crazy duo – good girl Alena Apina and rebel Tatyana Ivanova, who threw themselves from insults and jokes on the panel to reading Bulgakov together.

On the evening of March 5, 1993, Shishinin’s life would end tragically, and soon the glory of the “Combination” would fade. But for now we see how the “nuggets from the regions” are starting to rise. They have tours ahead of them not only around the country, but also abroad – in the USA. The only thing that really upset me while watching is the unnatural, unwanted parallels between the past and the present. Which ones will be noticed by those who know how to read “between the lines”.