In the Russian hinterlands lives ten-year-old Danya. His family consists of his alcoholic father, Vadim, and his teenage sister, Nadya. Danya's mother is in prison. His father is sometimes visited by Larisa, with whom he does odd jobs renovating apartments. She is also his drinking buddy and lover. One day, a phone call arrives: Danya's mother is being released on parole, earlier than expected. Only Danya is happy about this news; the others are indifferent. His father is captivated by Larisa and lost in a drunken haze, while Nadya is in the throes of adolescence and holds a grudge against their mother. Danya wants to throw his mother a welcome-home party, but eventually realizes that only he is truly waiting for her return. The celebration he envisioned turns into a tragedy for the young boy.
