[4] Sergey Nikitin, a diligent police sergeant, is newly assigned to guard a tobacco factory in a women's prison.
After a failed pursuit, Carmen evades capture, but the incident damages Sergey’s reputation, demoting him to street patrol.
Together, they evade capture, hiding in the mountains and engaging in increasingly daring heists, with Sergey’s loyalty to Carmen leading him to commit acts he once would have condemned.
Carmen begins a relationship with a rival gang member, Krivoy, and Sergey, consumed by jealousy, kills him.
Throughout the film, he recounts his story in gripping detail to his lawyer, whom he calls "Doctor," as he awaits trial, weaving a tale of passion, betrayal, and the ruinous lengths to which obsession can drive a man.