A young painter prepares a work for an exhibition on the preservation of valuable objects. His work has a great impact on society: it attracts the attention of religious activists from the organization "Divine Punishment", officials and journalists. As a result, the painting is removed from the exhibition. The activists first attack the painter and then set fire to his studio. The painting is saved, but Ivan risks a trial and that is why he goes to the bar association to be defended and get advice. The lawyers prepare a defense strategy and the completely helpless painter who finds himself at the center of an absurd cultural-religious conflict comes across the musician Sergei Shnurov on the way out, who also seems to need help.
