The 1950s, the beginning of the Cold War. A border post where discipline is lax formally guards a closed uranium mine that was once operated by Nazis, a new commander, Kralev, arrives together with his family. His son Mihail is just 10 years old, but, in contrast to his mother Tsurka, who dreams about the luxuries of city life, he quickly adapts to the harsh conditions of military life. Lieutenant Kralev quickly imposes iron discipline on his personnel, but a murder takes place at the post the day after he arrives. It is the first in a series of horrific murders that will be committed there. The killer seizes his son Mihail and the child falls down a deep precipice... Will the roots of a dried tree save the little boy or will they make him realize that everyone tragically clings to something of personal value while teetering on the brink of his grotesque life without being aware that he hangs just an inch above the ground.