A young artist Ivan is preparing a work for an exhibition on the preservation of values. His work causes a public outcry: it attracts the attention of religious activists of the "God's punishment" organization, officials and journalists. As a result, the painting is removed from the exhibition, and the activists first attack, and then set fire to the artist's studio. The painting is saved, but Ivan faces a criminal case, so together with the curator of the exhibition, he goes to the Pen & Paper Bar Association to find protection and get advice on what to do next in this situation. Lawyers are preparing a defense strategy, and a bewildered artist, who by chance found himself in the epicenter of an absurd religious and cultural conflict, confronts musician Sergei Shnurov at the door of the college. Who seems to need help too.
Leningrad, one summer in the early eighties. Smuggling LPs by Lou Reed and David Bowie, the underground rock scene is boiling ahead of the Perestroika. Mike and his beautiful wife Natasha meet with young Viktor Tsoï. Together with friends, they will change the destiny of rock’n’roll in the Soviet Union.
This beautifully photographed Russian drama set in St. Petersburg centers on Alexander Larin, a Russian native who has spent the last six years living in the US. He went there to escape a relationship before it developed into an unhealthy love triangle between himself, his fiancee Anna, and her lovely daughter Masha. Now a successful businessman, Alexander has returned to bring Masha back with him. Unfortunately, she is already engaged to Mitia, a photographer. Anna, also does not approve of Macha going with Alexander.