Black Square

A young trainee investigator at the Moscow Prosecutor's Office who starts with idealism and careful ambition. He partners with Merkulov to unravel a murder-and-smuggling conspiracy that reaches into high levels of power. His personal risk increases as he carries on a secret affair with Rita, and he makes hard choices, including destroying compromising documents, to protect the investigation while continuing his work.

A seasoned mentor figure guiding the younger investigators through a murky case full of political intrigue. He provides experience and steadiness as the network of crime unravels, and his resolve faces the strain of violence and fear. His role underlines the weight of institutional duty within a corrupt system.

A high-ranking official in the foreign trade department whose death triggers the investigation. He stumbles onto sensitive KGB plans to destabilize the global economy, becoming a catalyst for a wider power struggle. His demise exposes how the corridors of power can entangle crime and state interests.

A Bolshoi Ballet dancer and lover of Rakitin, whose murder in a hotel room linked to Rakitin’s name sets off a chain of deadly discoveries. Her death highlights the vulnerability of figures who move within elite social circles. The tragedy underscores how art, glamour, and crime intersect in this world.

A forensic expert who becomes involved with Turetsky in a secret affair. Her work and romance pull her deeper into the case, and she becomes a target of the powerful forces trying to suppress the investigation. Rita's death marks a turning point that reveals the lethal stakes of the pursuit for truth.

The Soviet leader referenced in the backdrop of the film, symbolizing a state crackdown on corruption and crime during a period of transition after Brezhnev’s era. His influence shapes the political climate in which the investigation unfolds. The narrative uses his era to frame the stakes and urgency of law enforcement.

Secretary of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet who is arrested for his involvement in the corruption network and dies in custody. His fate illustrates the potential consequences for those in high places when the system tightens its grip. The case thus expands beyond a simple murder into a broader political crackdown.

A KGB officer who traffics gold and gems to fund covert operations abroad and who attempts to recruit Turetsky. He uses violence to protect the interests of the hidden power net, and ultimately dies in a final shootout. Kassarine embodies the violent extremes of state-driven crime and suppression.