Ester Lamzina

The court jester Ivan Balakirev is not afraid to speak out to the fearsome monarch about things that others remain silent about. Becoming involved in the festivities and jests encouraged by the ruler, he inadvertently gets entangled in court intrigues and the complex relationships within the family of Peter the Great.

The film is a satire on the clichés used in sports dramas. Tennisov, a top badminton player, loses in the World Championship final because he decided to use a previously unbeatable shot, the "Unbreakable Candle." Tennisov retires from the sport, but unexpectedly gets a second chance a year later. His former coach invites him to play doubles with the young player Dmitry Malikov at the World Championship.