Why the “presence?” Set during Tajikistan’s civil war from 1993 to 1997, the film features no military action, only occasional bursts of automatic rifle fire and men in uniform emerging from somewhere with guns, to remind us that “the spirit of war” lingers over the country. Three friends debate the reasons for the tragedy among themselves and with the people around them, and reflect on the mission in this world. Civilizations come and go, but what remains? Not the time and not the environment. Perhaps just the soul of man and his relation to God. (Sadullo RAHIMOV)