More than twenty years after Vladimir Putin came to supreme power in Russia on May 7, 2000, Russian society is deeply divided. A young, modern generation opposes the growing repression by the regime, which still retains the support of many members of previous generations. Who are these ordinary citizens who dream of living in a different Russia? What price will they have to pay to achieve the freedom and justice they so desire?

The end of the Franco-Prussian war (1870-71) saw the birth of the panoramas of war, huge circular paintings depicting scenes of war, cruelty and desolation that were contemplated by thousands of spectators, a kind of inmersive static newsreels, a mass media prior to the era of mass media, a virtual reality on canvas.

Manuel is only 11 years old, but he already works on a sugar cane plantation located in northeastern Brazil. His father and older brother are also employed here. Manuel works on a huge roller that is used to press out the sugar cane. His friends transport the squeezed sugar cane away, dry the remains on the farm or help transport the cut cane to the mill. The film shows Manuel's daily work and describes the different steps of sugar production on the plantation. Manuel hopes that his younger siblings will soon be able to help, because although Manuel contributes to the family income, it is often not enough to feed the family of nine.

Interview with Jochen Girke, a retired East German Stasi agent, filmed March, 1990 to June, 1991. Questions explore his study of psychology for use as a filmmaker and trainer of interrogators and informers. Segments include conversations with his parents, teacher, former girlfriend and wife.

Thoughts of a diversity of public and private citizens on the virtues of democracy, its faults, its decadence, its fall and the rise of populism.