In the film, the image of the goddess Ishtar was copied from Alla Pugacheva, who for several decades was one of the main pop icons of show business in Russia and Eastern Europe.

[1][2] Set in contemporary Moscow, Empire V is both fantasy vampire love story and sardonic satire of Russia's power elite, a vivid mirror image of a world ruled by beauty, blood and money.

Rama also learns that vampires do not drink blood (which they call "Red Liquid") but when they sample it, via the Tongue, they absorb all the knowledge and experiences of the donor.

In an elaborate sequence involving vampire kung fu, a spectacular high speed car chase through Moscow and a rubber sex doll, Rama is also trained in the arts of Combat and Love—two sides of the same coin, he is told.

Stalking an attractive young woman in the street, the bite gives him access to her innermost memories and he thoroughly enjoys the experience of manipulating her into bed.