Murat Mambetov

Niyole, a Red Army spy is sent behind the enemy lines in order to hunt German general.

1734. In the north of the Urals, in the impenetrable forests of Orthodox Russia, one of its small nationalities lives — the Voguls, who have preserved the rituals and customs of their ancestors. Like any nation, the Voguls have their own history, traditions and gods, the main one of which is the golden goddess, the patroness of the Voguls. Once upon a time, many centuries ago, she stood on the top of a mountain, and anyone could come and ask for her help.

20s south of Kyrgyzstan. Platoon commander Abysh Isaev arrives at the military garrison. His task, together with the red commander Valentin Ugryumov, is to stop the bloodshed and destruction perpetrated by Shaanazar’s Basmach detachment, and to return the farmers to their homes.

Teenager Mukai spends most of the year in a remote Kyrgyz village with his grandmother while his parents work in a secluded mountain area. At thirteen, he is considered an adult by local standards. Mukai helps adults with logging, visits his father in the mountains, takes his grandmother to Lake Issyk-Kul where she first met Mukai's grandfather, herds horses to the dock, and interacts with city visitors at the lake.

At the center of the film is the character of Asan, a collective farm foreman. Asan is a principled man who makes many enemies among the lazy, drunkards, and dishonest people. As a result of these rumors, Asan is dismissed from his position, but this does not break him. He continues to act according to his conscience.

Sagyn returned to his homeland, got a job, fell in love, and received this advice from his family: “The most important thing is to stay on good terms with Almaz. Those who have a good relationship with him will thrive. But if he gets offended, you’d better run. He’s used to everyone respecting him and always agreeing with him. If he asks for something, don’t even think about refusing.” And then one day, Sagyn witnesses a crime...