Arquivo

A compendium of several stories involving politics, religion, tradition, and modernity, set in a village in Kirghizstan, in the 10 years subsequent to the end of the Soviet Union. The residents of the village make do as they can to overcome difficulties, mainly after many of them are no longer entitled to the government pensions that are so very necessary. Kabylbek, the village administrator, does the best he can to keep peace in the town, but food rations are scant and things are soon beyond control. Concomitantly, policeman Salamat who is having an affair with a married woman, is assigned the mission of arresting a thief who steals the sheep. The head of the village believes this would bring the inhabitants of the village peace of mind. Without much faith in a better future, nor believing, in particular, in a just God, the villagers decide to turn to earthly pleasure.