It tells the story of two Russian boys whose father suddenly returns home after a 12-year absence.

He takes the boys on a holiday to a remote island on a lake that turns into a test of manhood of almost mythic proportions.

In contemporary Russia, Ivan and his older brother Andrei have grown a deep attachment to each other to make up for their fatherless childhood.

With their mother's uneasy blessing, Ivan and Andrei set out on what they believe will be a simple fishing vacation with him.

At first, both brothers are pleased with the prospect of an exciting adventure, but they soon strain under the weight of their father's awkward and increasingly brutal efforts to make up for the missing decade.

Ivan and Andrei find themselves alternately tested, rescued, scolded, mentored, scrutinized, and ignored by the man.

Ivan and his father's test of will escalates into bitter hostility and sudden violence after the trio arrives at their mysterious island destination.

Ivan and Andrei take the body across the forest, bring him on board the boat, and row back to where they came.

The director also mentioned that the producers made their money back even before it was screened at the Venice Film Festival.