AllMovie

This Russian-Hungarian backed concept film is set at a giant Siberian steelworks and focuses upon the exploits of one spectacularly bored employee while subtly commenting on larger issues. Conditions at the works, which produces armor alloys for the military, are grim, dangerous, and barely tolerable. The story presents several episodes from workers' lives but focuses particularly upon young Ignat. When not working, his only entertainment stems from stealing sheep from wandering shepherds, and robbing a train at gunpoint. To find a little more excitement, he enters the annual fight between the strongest metal worker and the strongest miner. This provides the film's climax.