This is a movie about core of Russian rock and independent music movement. It shows Leningrad Rock Club which was the place where everything in rock music happened. And some of the main figures of Russian rock music.
The way it was filmed is masterful, for someone who lived in that era it transports you there in a way that can’t be described.
Movie main figure is Viktor Tsoi who is like Jim Morrison of Russian rock, he was unlike anybody else, his music was the voice of generation, and he also died quite young, in 1990.
Movie follows him when he just started to write music, formed his band “Kino”, which was like equivalent of Doors by importance, I suppose. And ends by the time he recorded second album and was about to become major figure in Russian rock.

You have to know that people in USSR were quite poor and there was no easily available musical equipment. That’s why in order for Russian rock to exist they had to organise around Rock Club so they could share equipment, and exchange musical records. Yes there was no foreign music available to buy, the only way was to copy tapes.
Scarcity of equipment and money is the driving force behind many of events in movie.

Unlike western world, in USSR everything happened in apartments, including music rehearsals. There, no garages or places you could rent.
This is also represented quite well.