A modern-day Hamlet Laevsky enjoys blaming his issues on the corrupting influence of his time and civilization. Van Koren on the other hand believes strongly in the survival of the fittest. When the two of them become tangled in a game of infidelity debts and deception it is not long until a physical duel ensues. A complex tale of transformation human fragility and forgiveness it was adapted to screen as a historical drama in 2010.-