Really interesting movie. Viktor Burakov, a doctor of forensic medicine gets dropped into a murder case, chasing a serial killer. The story is genuine, based on events which took place in Rostov, southern USSR in 1982-1990. What's fascinating about this story is not the case of the murder case itself, rather the surrounding social/political landscape in which Lt. Burakov works. He reports at regular intervals to some sort of regional council of military/political superiors, who practically dictate his every move. Given that he has never worked as a detective before and has no experience, more importantly, no position, every request he makes for more men, computers, publicity, councel with the FBI is consistently rejected. More important than anything is to preserve the good name of the party and the country, that supersedes everything. When he does eventually arrest the killer (but without evidence), he is forced to let him go because the man is a member of the party.. over the course of 8 years, he kills 52 children, finally when the political climate changes, Burakov gets the resources to do his job without heavy restrictions.

Thanks for the heads up, Erik!