1988, a multi-ethnic town in Soviet Azerbaijan. Eight-year-old Ashen's parents, both Armenian, are divorced, live in different parts of town and are forever in a tug-of-war over the girl. Ashen's father has remarried and his new Russian wife has become a second mother for Ashen. In fact everyone is kind to the girl. But when the conflict breaks out between Armenia and Azerbaijan, where Ashen lives becomes a far more serious matter. Ashen's mother has to give her over to her father to keep her safe…