Ten-year-old Danya lives in the Russian hinterland with his alcoholic father, Vadim, and teenage sister, Nadya. His mother is in prison. The father is occasionally visited by Larisa, a coworker and lover. One day, a phone call reveals that Danya's mother is being released early on parole. Danya is the only one happy about the news; his father is lost in an alcoholic haze with Larisa, and his sister holds a grudge against their mother. Danya tries to arrange a celebration for her return, but soon realizes he is the only one waiting for her, turning the holiday into a tragedy.