Sofianos, a one-time police informer, is an ex-drug trafficker out on probation. When a union leader assassinated, Sofianos is arrested for the murder. He strikes a deal with the authorities to intitrate ana entrap his former colleagues. While in prison, a promínent conservative parliamentarian - with whom he hao a nomosexual relationship - visits and is taken hostage, An absurd and embarrassing situation develops for the government as they find themselves caught in a catch-22: secure the hostage′s release of lose une support of the conservatives; take action against the prisoner and lose the democrats. The state decides tto eliminate the problem by eliminating Sofianos. And when the hostage situation spirals out of the state s control, when it is perceived that threats and reasoning fail, order is restored by sharpshooter. Angelopoulos′ views on Greek history are clear. The state′s own weak and corrupt behavior was neany is downfall, and its incompetence allowed for only a murderous course of action. The film′s structure is a manifestation of the historical dictatorship, replete with imposed silence and censorship - of which the viewer is aware.