Not actually a spoiler, just a hint of how the film starts actually...
*POSSIBLE SPOILER* It's a house of the mentally ill somewhere in a forest of Chechenia. Then there's war between Chechens and russians. Doctors go away only to get back a few days later. The mentally ill (well, most of them) can't understand what's happening and go on with their daily life, free of barriers, since no doctors are around. *END OF SPOILER*
I don't want to go on about what happens next. That's not the point anyway. This film has great photography/cinematography & technics. But there's so much more. It's full of deep understanding of human soul, lust for life, deep meanings delivered in simple ways, great accordion music, feelings, ingrowing sarcasm and thought provoking humour. This is not one more anti-war film. Actually we get to see very little 'war', and even this ain't no Saving private Ryan. And how wrong is to compare this film with any anti-war film except perhaps Apocalypse now!
One more thing. What's the thing with that reviewer who thought it was strange for a Russian filmmaker to make a "pro-Chechen", as he indicates, film? Hello? There are people who CAN think regardlessly the nation they were born? But what am I saying? You speak of up to what you can understand... I recommend this beautiful film to everyone!