Character Relationship Map: Kompromat

Characters

• Mathieu Roussel (played by Gilles Lellouche) — protagonist

  Director of the Alliance française in Irkutsk who is falsely accused of child pornography and molestation by the FSB. Framed with kompromat, he escapes house arrest, flees across Russia with Svetlana'...

• Svetlana (played by Joanna Kulig) — protagonist

  A woman who believes in Roussel's innocence and despises her father-in-law Rostov. She provides him with illegal SIM cards, helps him evade the FSB, drives him to the Estonian border, and shares an in...

• Rostov (played by Mikhail Gorevoy) — supporting

  Head of the Russian FSB and father-in-law to Svetlana's husband. He orchestrates the false kompromat charges against Roussel and later scolds his son Sasha, triggering the suicide that deeply impacts...

• Sagarine (played by Igor Jijikine) — supporting

  Former Spetsnaz operative tasked by the FSB to hunt down the fugitive Roussel. He suspects Svetlana's involvement, tracks Roussel to the border, attempts to drown him in a marsh, but is ultimately ove...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Svetlana → Rostov (Family Daughter-in-Law) — Their family connection is defined by hostility and distrust.

  Svetlana is described as Rostov's daughter-in-law and despises her father-in-law.

• Rostov → Sagarine (Professional Commander) — Sagarine operates as an operative within the FSB pursuit structure led by Rostov.

  Sagarine is called in to find Roussel by the FSB, which Rostov heads.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Svetlana → Sagarine (Conflict Suspected Accomplice) — Sagarine's suspicion makes Svetlana a target within the manhunt.

  Sagarine immediately suspects Svetlana of assisting Roussel but cannot find evidence against her.

• Mathieu Roussel → Sagarine (Conflict Hunter And Fugitive) — Sagarine personally pursues Roussel across the final stages of his escape.

  Sagarine is called in to find the fugitive Roussel and later chases him through the woods.

• Mathieu Roussel → Rostov (Conflict Persecutor) — Rostov represents the institutional force responsible for Roussel's persecution.

  Rostov is identified as the head of the FSB, while Roussel is framed with kompromat and pursued by the FSB.

• Mathieu Roussel → Svetlana (Alliance Ally) — Svetlana becomes Roussel's principal civilian helper during his escape.

  Svetlana believes in Roussel's innocence, gives him prohibited SIM cards, hides him, and drives him toward the Estonian border.

Story Analysis

A falsely accused man crosses Russia while political persecution, personal loyalty, and sacrifice determine who can escape.

Plot Progression

1. A Reputation Put on Trial — Mathieu Roussel is forcibly arrested and accused of crimes supported by fabricated kompromat. The prison assault establishes the personal danger behind the political persecution.
2. The House Arrest Escape — Moved to house arrest, Roussel receives covert help from Svetlana through illegal SIM cards. Learning that conviction is nearly certain, he disables his ankle bracelet and begins his escape.
3. A Fugitive Across Russia — Svetlana hides Roussel while Sagarine is assigned to hunt him. Television exposure, neighbor reports, and a dangerous journey through Moscow push Roussel toward the French Embassy.
4. The Border and the Cost — Roussel escapes the embassy with Svetlana and reaches the Estonian border. Their intimacy is followed by separation, while Sasha's suicide reveals the devastating cost of the family conflict.
5. The Marsh and the Unanswered Call — Sagarine catches Roussel near the border, but Roussel survives the marsh confrontation and crosses into Estonia. He returns to France and calls Svetlana, leaving her response unresolved.