The plot involves a woman who sets out a well-intentioned plan of bringing together her dysfunctional family in the wake of the family’s matriarch, her mother-in-law. She deceives her husband and others in to believe their mother left rules for the family to follow in the lead up to Christmas. Wanting to believe their mother left some guidance to help heal the wounds of her absence, the family comes together and follows the rules to the letter.
Konstantin Gudauskas is a Jew born in Kazakhstan, but received political asylum in Ukraine. After the Russian invasion begins on 24 February 2022, he is able to travel freely to the occupied territories and evacuate civilians from there thanks to his Kazakh passport. During the next months he saves 203 people by taking them out of the occupied territories. Konstantin observes firsthand the horrors of war and the atrocities of the Russian occupation. Throughout this time he is advised and guided by a woman, Haide Rizaeva, a Crimean Tatar, employee of the Main Intelligence Directorate.