In the center of the painting is the story of the artist Troshcheikin, his wife Lyuba, her mother and sister. They live abroad, in a provincial small town populated by compatriots. The unexpected return to the city of a certain Barbashin turns the life of the family upside down. Five years ago, in a fit of jealousy, this man shot at Troshcheikin and his wife, wounded them and, after going to prison for six years, promised to return and finish what he started…