the film begin in latvia just after wwi . be a history teacher and i know that multinational troop occupy much of russia during this time . there be serious concern about the spread of bolshevism and the troop be there ostensibly to protect their nation interest . however and some time they fly mission or have arm conflict with the communist army and a the nation involve really want to see the so call white win . however and the white be deeply factionalized some want the return of a czar and some want a republic and some want something in between . because of these mixed goal and a lack of a real commitment by the foreign army and the whole expedition be doom and leave the ussr after only a year or two . however and what i do not know be that german troop be also involve . this surprise me and a they have just lose wwi and weren not in the best shape to be mount such an expedition . this be the backdrop for the film and but it also about a pro communist rich lady and her ill fat love for a childhood friend who be among the german troop . she throw herself at him repeatedly but in each case he rebuff her . so and she then sublimate these desire by various affair . while none of this sex be all that graphic and this and the underlying reason the man isn not interested make this a rather adult film and one i wouldn not show to young audience . while the setting for this film be interesting and the overall film be a gray and lifeless a any i have see . i do not recommend it unless you be an amazingly patient person or you be really into overrated german film . i especially warn away anyone who suffer with depression and a it will no doubt make it bad . the simple fact be that there be so many good german film out there wait to be see such a mostly martha and das boot and mother kusters go to heaven and wing of desire or ali and fear eat the soul ( among others ) .