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The evils of totalitarianism provide the central message of this Czech-French drama. The film is set in a quiet, rural village headed by a suspicious, conspiring group of nasty leaders. Evald has come there to measure water levels. Surrounding the fortress near the village are soldiers. They are bored and so frequently indulge in target practice and getting together with the town whores. Evald has no idea why the soldiers are there. Evald and the main officer of the troops become friends and it is he who reveals their secret mission. The villagers are in on the secret, but remain quiet even though Evald disapproves.