This film is a fascinating allegory of communist Russia. Set in the 1920's, the action takes place in the Dostoevsky school for street kids. Thanks to the forward thinking headmaster, the unruly kids are allowed to create their own self-determining soviet within the school emulating the Communist ideal. In this way they slowly take responsibility for their actions. There is even a new boy who represents capitalism. By using bread as currency the new boy makes slaves out of the younger kids whilst bribing the oldest ones to turn a blind eye. This is a comedy with a message.