Ivan is old Russia: thick, dour, hard-working, often brutish; he misses Communism. He drives a taxi and one night meets Alexi, a new Russian, a musician, an alcoholic, irresponsible. Alexi stiffs Ivan for the fare, so Ivan tracks him down and a love-hate relationship ensues. When Alexi lets the bath water run over in Ivan's flat and Ivan must pay 500 rubles for repairs, he tries to force Alexi into day labor to repay him. It's hopeless. Then, suddenly, Alexi is discovered, goes on a jazz tour of America, becomes a celebrity, and returns in triumph. Ivan longs to renew the friendship, and it looks as if he may get what he wants.

Taxi Blues

14th century. On the border of the possessions of Veliky Novgorod and the Livonian Order, a detachment of soldiers led the defense of the brave Vseslav. During a cross-border skirmish, Vseslav is captured and ends up in the castle of Knight Romuald - Neuhausen. The owners treat the prisoner as a guest. Soon, the castle is visited by the Teutonic knight Ewald, in love with Emma, the wife of Romuald. He dreams of taking possession of both the castle and its mistress ...