This film is set against the backdrop of the Russian Civil War, following a Red Army detachment as they traverse the harsh white sands of Central Asia. Led by Commissioner Yevsyukov, the soldiers face dire circumstances as they advance while battling both extreme thirst and pursuit from White Army forces. The opening reference to the temple curtain suggests themes of spiritual upheaval and transformation amid the chaos of war.
The narrative captures the brutal realities of this historical conflict, with the desolate desert landscape serving as a powerful setting for depicting the soldiers' struggle for survival. The story appears to explore the human costs of revolution and civil conflict through the lens of this desperate military campaign.