Fyodor is a lorry driver, a ladies‘ man, and a loner. One day a telegram arrives from his ex-lover in the small town of Barabash, asking him to come quickly. On arriving, Fyodor learns from the local chief of police that Maria has died and left behind a 16-year-old daughter – and that he is her father. Vera Mukhina – Mukha, as she is generally known – is a notorious hooligan, pyromaniac and rebel. Fists at the ready, she’s a match for any boy or anybody else who tells her what to do – including a father who turns up out the blue. She grudgingly allows him to move into her home. One night, fire breaks out.

Vladimir Kott tells his wholly unsentimental father-and-daughter tale with no small measure of dry humour. He also offers some insight into provincial life far removed from the hip Russian cities: brawling, drunken youngsters; corrupt police; the all-important local mafia. To even have a chance of survival, at least two jobs are necessary. Fyodor is played by Alexey Kravchenko, who debuted at 16 in Elem Klimov’s IDI I SOTRI and recently appeared in 9. ROTA. Alexandra Tuftey is a convincng new face at his side.