This hot social Soviet blockbuster of the late 80s tells the story of corrupt Soviet officials operating in one of the Black Coast cities that has virtually no real state power. It is a Caucasian mob epic enveloping the story of the rivalry of two southern gangster clans for their spheres of influence. The maelstrom of criminal war is unforgiving even to the beatiful Rita who repeats the fate of famous Carmen.

This film is based on eexquisite novels of Fazil Iskander "The Carmen of Chegem" and "Angur the Bartender". The story is narrated against the musical background of "Carmen Suite" composed by Bizet and Schedrin.