On December 31, 1979, five students come to a sanatorium lost in the Karelian forests to prepare for a New Year's play. They are led by the Docent and the rector's daughter Dimra. Physical education student Pasha is about to propose to his girlfriend Katya, but the Docent, in love, kidnaps her. A mute, long jealous of the Docent and young Katerina, arranges a romantic seduction of the Docent. In the midst of a disco party at the swimming pool, the local stoker, Vitya, a washed-up student of the history department, who considers himself a descendant of Karelian shamans, interferes in the students' merriment. He performs a bloody ritual, but makes the wrong choice of victim.
