In the past, Soviet prima ballerina and now world-renowned choreographer Ruta Myers returns to the country after almost 40 years to stage a performance at the country's main ballet theater. Ruta is forced to rebuild relationships with friends and enemies, who have become key people in the Russian ballet over the past time, but most importantly — with the artistic director of the theater Andrei Pronin and his family. They were once a couple, and now old feelings and old resentments flare up with renewed vigor. A lot of money, ambitions, and a career are at stake — Ruta, despite all her efforts, finds herself in the epicenter of passions and intrigues very far from the world of art.
The movie is based on the real story of Nika Turbina, once world-famous Soviet child poetess, who got completely forgotten in the 1990s. That's when we meet her: at the age of 27 Nika is full of hopes and doubts regarding her gift. Due to the age restriction, she's got just one shot to enter the Drama School, and that's her only chance to separate from her cherishing and oppressive mother. Acquaintance with a new friend Ivan gives Nika hope for a happy future, but there is still something in her memory that triggers her. Tragically cheerful, painfully confused and desperately believing in love and life after childhood, Nika puts everything on the line to overcome ghosts of the past.
Spring of 1921. NEP (New Economic Policy) initiation rapidly changes Petrograd which was lifeless after wars and revolution. Marches and hymns are mixed with foxtrot and chanson. Well-dressed people appear on river quays, as well as thugs who are ready to rob them of money. So the chaos starts and it is invincible for police: shops are robed five times per day. Then the criminal world of Petrograd headed by Uncle Kolya comes to defend NEPmen and starts to run a protection racket on them. But not all the NEPmen are ready to pay for these services what makes Uncle Kolya to send his combat groups to these people. The most famous and productive of these groups is the Rodya’s gang. Rodya is former anarchist, sharp thug, fancy pants and ladykiller.