By overthrowing Napoleon, the Russian army changed the world. The time has come to change Russia itself. But the winners were divided. The authorities are slow, and a conspiracy is brewing among the young officers of the military elite. The opportunity to negotiate is decreasing every day. Their own become enemies. There comes a time of anger.
The matriarchal clan led by gorgeous Margarita enters a turbulent period when her son loses his beloved fiancée. Using the structure of a repetitive ritual, the action spans years but takes place mostly during the annual gatherings of Margarita's extraordinary family in their mansion on New Year's Eve. Margarita believes in the magical 13th hour that can break the eternal circle of repetition, defeat death and bring her much-awaited love.
The film's two main protagonists are Russia's best saber fencers. One of them has long been in the limelight, the other only recently made it into the national team and has been winning almost every tournament since. The two athletes begin to fight for supremacy both on and off the arena.