In a world after the nuclear apocalypse a scholar helps a small group of children and adults survive, staying with them in the basement of the former museum of history. In his mind he writes letters to his son — though it is obvious that they will never be read.
In the near future, writer Victor Banev gets himself on a UN commission to investigate what's going on in the remote town of Tashlinsk, where reports tell of a virus-created race of brainiac mutants. Banev's tween daughter Ira is enrolled at a school for gifted children which has been taken over by the mutants, who have grown to despise ordinary humanity.
Based on a true story, Arthur – a former military doctor – leads the quiet life of a widower in a mountain village in Dagestan. He then learns that his only daughter, Maryam, has been recruited by a terrorist organization and ran away to Syria. The father decides to follow her, willing to do what it takes to save her.
