A mysterious man under the name Mister X performs in the circus, playing violin on a chair suspended in the air by ropes. His breathtakingly sad melodies reflect his internal turmoil - he's in love with a noble lady and this relationship is frowned upon in their society.
In the winter of 1918, a provincial Russian town is faced with a shortage of food, firewood, and medicine. Discontent is brewing in the Red Army regiment stationed in the town, as former Tsarist officers sow seeds of discord in an attempt to organize a counter-revolutionary rebellion.
