​Young soldiers in the Soviet Internal Troops are subjected to systematic abuse during their dedovshchina (hazing). The plot unfolds primarily aboard a prisoner transport rail car guarded by a unit of paramilitary conscripts.

Once upon a time, a young and cheerful painter named Makar was invited to the king's palace... There he saw a beautiful woman trying on a crown. Makar fell in love, but was expelled from the palace. After undergoing all kinds of trials and heroic deeds, the former painter came to the palace to ask for the princess's hand in marriage, but saw before him a capricious ugly woman—and realized that he had been enchanted by the servant Katya.

In present day Moscow three childhood friends in their forties – former school band players – live their everyday lives of a police officer, a taxi driver and a surgeon. They have lost track of each other. Three stories of betrayal, love and ageing are told in parallel. In fact, unknown to our heroes, their paths cross and their lives become connected. But they are not aware of it even when they reunite for a breaking performance at their graduation anniversary.