Clouds Over Borsk

Kira Sergeyevna, a young physics teacher fresh from university, arrives in the provincial settlement of Borsk to begin her teaching career. She is assigned to a difficult ninth-grade class of 'war children' and must navigate its emotional immaturity and resistance. The new role places her at the center of a tense, evolving social landscape in town.

Early in her tenure, Kira encounters Olya Ryzhkova, a distant daughter who leads a public Pioneer service. Olya seeks solace in public service and belonging, while dealing with emotional distance at home. The meeting hints at a potential confidante for the teacher, complicating boundaries.

Kira and Olya begin confiding in each other, with the teacher offering listening support and guidance. Olya reveals her yearning for authentic connection beyond official duties. The bond grows, but the risk to professional boundaries becomes increasingly apparent.

Wary of crossing professional lines, Kira retreats into a more formal relationship with Olya. The once-open friendship cools, and Olya feels the distance growing between them. The rift foreshadows mounting isolation for Olya.

Heartbroken by the boundary, Olya withdraws from school life and searches for understanding beyond the classroom. Her longing for authentic connection deepens her sense of isolation and vulnerability. This withdrawal becomes a catalyst for exploring other communities.

Olya forms a bond with Mitya Saenko, an aloof classmate who is a devout Pentecostal. He introduces her to his religious sect, offering a sense of belonging she has struggled to find at school and home. Olya's loneliness makes her receptive to this new circle.

Emboldened by faith, Mitya openly preaches within the group, drawing more attention to the sect. Olya becomes deeply involved, aligning her identity with the community's rituals. The sect's pull strengthens as personal vulnerability is reframed as spiritual devotion.

Suspicious of the sect's influence, Kira conducts an investigation into its practices. She documents manipulative tactics and emotional exploitation of vulnerable students. Her diligence signals a potential turning point as she seeks to protect her students.

Kira confronts the sect's leaders, challenging their hypocrisy and seeking to expose harmful manipulation. She risks professional and personal backlash to reveal the truth behind the group's rhetoric. Her actions place her at odds with the sect and its sympathizers.

In a dangerous turn, the sect interprets Olya's struggles as a sin of pride and lays plans for a symbolic crucifixion. The town watches with a mix of fear and complicity as the ritual approaches. Olya's fate becomes the focal point of the community's moral panic.

Gena Bocharnikov, a fellow student, intervenes to prevent the ritual from claiming Olya. The townspeople rush to the scene, arriving just in time to pull Olya from danger. The rescue marks a pivotal moment that exposes the sect's danger and solidarity within the community.

In the aftermath, Kira dedicates herself to bringing the truth to light, knowing she may face resistance from powerful figures. Olya makes a narrow escape from the sect's influence, grasping a fragile sense of belonging and a chance at rebuilding her life. The film closes on a somber note about isolation, vulnerability, and the search for belonging in a changing world.